Quick answers
- Where is Friends Nursing Home?
- 17340 Quaker Lane, Sandy Spring, MD 20860, in Montgomery County, Maryland.
- What is the phone number of Friends Nursing Home?
- (301) 924-7531, as listed by Medicare (CMS).
- What is the Medicare star rating of Friends Nursing Home?
- Medicare overall rating: 5 out of 5 stars (CMS data updated 2026-10-01).
- Has Friends Nursing Home been fined?
- Medicare lists 6 fines totaling $18,010.
- What did inspectors find at Friends Nursing Home?
- In its last three inspection cycles (May 20, 2021 to May 26, 2026), Medicare lists 19 health citations; the most serious was level F. See the list below (CMS data updated 2026-10-01).
Medicare ratings, explained
Star ratings are one piece of information. Visit, ask questions and talk with your doctor about what matters for your care.
Inspections, fines and staffing
In its last three inspection cycles (May 20, 2021 to May 26, 2026), Friends Nursing Home had 19 health citations; the most serious was level F (no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm). It was fined $18,010 in total (6 fines, the latest on November 20, 2023). Nurse staffing is 3.93 hours per resident per day; the Maryland average is 3.93 and the national average is 3.90.
Source: Medicare (CMS) Provider Data Catalog, data updated October 1, 2026, retrieved November 13, 2026.
Inspection history: last three cycles
State inspectors visit about once a year and also investigate complaints. Each citation (deficiency) has a tag number and a letter, A to L. The letter shows how serious the problem was and how many residents it affected.
What the letters A to L mean
| Seriousness | Isolated (a few residents) | Pattern (some) | Widespread (many) |
|---|---|---|---|
| No actual harm, potential for minimal harm | A | B | C |
| No actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm | D | E | F |
| Actual harm to residents | G | H | I |
| Immediate jeopardy to resident health or safety | J | K | L |
Source: the scope and severity grid Medicare (CMS) uses for nursing home citations.
Most recent cycle: May 26, 2026 — 6 health citations
Inspections in this cycle: May 26, 2026 (complaint investigation); May 26, 2026 (standard health inspection).
Show 6 citations (levels A to F, no actual harm)
F0584 Level E
“Honor the resident's right to a safe, clean, comfortable and homelike environment, including but not limited to receiving treatment and supports for daily living safely.”
F0812 Level E
“Procure food from sources approved or considered satisfactory and store, prepare, distribute and serve food in accordance with professional standards.”
F0605 Level D
“Prevent the use of unnecessary psychotropic medications or use medications that may restrain a resident's ability to function.”
F0757 Level D
“Ensure each resident’s drug regimen must be free from unnecessary drugs.”
F0761 Level D
“Ensure drugs and biologicals used in the facility are labeled in accordance with currently accepted professional principles; and all drugs and biologicals must be stored in locked compartments, separately locked, compartments for controlled drugs.”
F0880 Level D
“Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program.”
Previous cycle: May 14, 2025 — 10 health citations
Inspections in this cycle: November 8, 2024 (complaint investigation); May 14, 2025 (complaint investigation); May 14, 2025 (standard health inspection).
Show 10 citations (levels A to F, no actual harm)
F0812 Level F
“Procure food from sources approved or considered satisfactory and store, prepare, distribute and serve food in accordance with professional standards.”
F0584 Level E
“Honor the resident's right to a safe, clean, comfortable and homelike environment, including but not limited to receiving treatment and supports for daily living safely.”
F0609 Level D
“Timely report suspected abuse, neglect, or theft and report the results of the investigation to proper authorities.”
F0656 Level D
“Develop and implement a complete care plan that meets all the resident's needs, with timetables and actions that can be measured.”
F0657 Level D
“Develop the complete care plan within 7 days of the comprehensive assessment; and prepared, reviewed, and revised by a team of health professionals.”
F0697 Level D
“Provide safe, appropriate pain management for a resident who requires such services.”
F0880 Level D
“Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program.”
F0908 Level D
“Keep all essential equipment working safely.”
F0609 Level D
“Timely report suspected abuse, neglect, or theft and report the results of the investigation to proper authorities.”
F0684 Level D
“Provide appropriate treatment and care according to orders, resident’s preferences and goals.”
Earlier cycle: May 20, 2021 — 3 health citations
Inspections in this cycle: May 20, 2021 (standard health inspection).
Show 3 citations (levels A to F, no actual harm)
F0655 Level D
“Create and put into place a plan for meeting the resident's most immediate needs within 48 hours of being admitted”
F0658 Level D
“Ensure services provided by the nursing facility meet professional standards of quality.”
F0730 Level B
“Observe each nurse aide's job performance and give regular training.”
Citation descriptions are Medicare’s official wording. “From a complaint” means the citation came from a complaint investigation instead of the regular yearly inspection.
Full inspection reports on Medicare Care Compare →
Fire safety citations (26)
K0345 Level F
“Have approved installation, maintenance and testing program for fire alarm systems.”
K0353 Level F
“Inspect, test, and maintain automatic sprinkler systems.”
K0761 Level F
“To conduct inspection, testing and maintenance of fire doors by qualified individuals.”
K0918 Level F
“Have generator or other power source capable of supplying service within 10 seconds.”
K0223 Level E
“Provide exit doors that are held open by devices that will automatically close on the activation of a fire alarm or smoke detector.”
K0293 Level E
“Have properly located and lighted "Exit" signs.”
K0362 Level E
“Ensure that corridors are separated from use areas by walls constructed to limit the passage of smoke.”
K0363 Level E
“Install corridor and hallway doors that block smoke.”
K0781 Level E
“Have restrictions on the use of portable space heaters.”
K0914 Level F
“Ensure receptacles at patient bed locations and where general anesthesia is administered, are tested after initial installation, replacement or servicing.”
K0918 Level F
“Have generator or other power source capable of supplying service within 10 seconds.”
K0353 Level E
“Inspect, test, and maintain automatic sprinkler systems.”
K0761 Level E
“To conduct inspection, testing and maintenance of fire doors by qualified individuals.”
E0004 Level D
“Develop and maintain an Emergency Preparedness Program (EP).”
K0100 Level D
“Meet other general requirements.”
K0211 Level D
“Keep aisles, corridors, and exits free of obstruction in case of emergency.”
K0223 Level D
“Provide exit doors that are held open by devices that will automatically close on the activation of a fire alarm or smoke detector.”
K0355 Level D
“Properly select, install, inspect, or maintain portable fire extinguishes.”
K0362 Level D
“Ensure that corridors are separated from use areas by walls constructed to limit the passage of smoke.”
K0363 Level D
“Install corridor and hallway doors that block smoke.”
K0923 Level D
“Have proper medical gas storage and administration areas.”
K0331 Level D
“Construct fire resistant interior walls.”
K0919 Level D
“Meet requirements for the use of electrical equipment.”
K0353 Level C
“Inspect, test, and maintain automatic sprinkler systems.”
K0355 Level B
“Properly select, install, inspect, or maintain portable fire extinguishes.”
K0923 Level B
“Have proper medical gas storage and administration areas.”
Fines and payment denials
Total fines over about the last three years: $18,010 (6 fines). A payment denial means Medicare stopped paying for new admissions for a time.
| Date | Penalty | Amount or length |
|---|---|---|
| November 20, 2023 | Fine | $3,904 |
| November 13, 2023 | Fine | $3,496 |
| November 6, 2023 | Fine | $3,208 |
| October 30, 2023 | Fine | $2,857 |
| October 23, 2023 | Fine | $2,447 |
| October 17, 2023 | Fine | $2,098 |
Source: Medicare (CMS) Penalties file, data updated October 1, 2026.
Staffing
Hours of nursing care per resident per day, from the payroll records nursing homes send to Medicare, next to the state and national averages.
| Measure | This home | Maryland | National |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered nurse (RN) hours per resident per day | 0.75 | 0.88 | 0.69 |
| Licensed practical nurse (LPN) hours per resident per day | 0.88 | 0.92 | 0.86 |
| Nurse aide hours per resident per day | 2.31 | 2.14 | 2.35 |
| Total nurse staff hours per resident per day | 3.93 | 3.93 | 3.90 |
| Total nurse staff hours per resident per day on the weekend | 3.85 | 3.49 | 3.43 |
| RN hours per resident per day on the weekend | 0.77 | 0.64 | 0.48 |
| Nursing staff turnover (per year) | 17.1% | 40.2% | 45.3% |
| RN turnover (per year) | 0.0% | 37.8% | 42.5% |
| Administrators who left in the last year | 0.0 | 0.5 | 0.5 |
Source: Medicare (CMS) Provider Information and State US Averages, data updated October 1, 2026.
Compare with other nursing homes
Key facts
| Type | Nursing home |
|---|---|
| Certified beds | 82 |
| Average residents per day | 63.7 |
| Takes part in | Medicare and Medicaid |
| Ownership | For profit – limited liability company |
| Legal business name | Friends House Retirement Community Inc |
| First approved by Medicare/Medicaid | 1990-01-01 |
| Part of a continuing care retirement community | Yes |
| Resident and family councils | Resident council |
| Sprinklers in all required areas | Yes |
| Changed ownership in the last 12 months | No |
| Address | 17340 Quaker Lane, Sandy Spring, MD 20860 |
| County | Montgomery County |
| State | Maryland |
| Phone | (301) 924‑7531 |
| CMS Certification Number | 215211 |
| Name in Medicare records | FRIENDS NURSING HOME |
| Corrections | Report an error or suggest an update → |
What to ask when you call or visit
A general checklist for any nursing home, not advice about this one. Medicare also publishes guides on medicare.gov.
- Is the home certified by Medicare and/or Medicaid, and does it have a bed for the care you need (short-term rehab or long-term care)?
- Can you see the latest state inspection report? Ask how any problems found were fixed.
- How many nurses and aides work on each shift, at night and on weekends? Is there a registered nurse on site at all times?
- Which doctors see residents, and how often? What happens in a medical emergency, and which hospital is used?
- What therapy (physical, occupational, speech) is offered, and how many days a week?
- Are residents clean, dressed and taking part in activities? Do staff speak to them kindly and answer call lights quickly?
- What do the daily rate and extra services cost, and what do Medicare, Medicaid or your insurance pay? Ask for it in writing.
- Is there a resident council and a family council? How are complaints handled? Ask for the long-term care ombudsman’s contact.
- Are meals appetizing, and can the home meet special diets, language needs and religious or cultural preferences?
- Visit more than once, including at a mealtime or in the evening, without an appointment.
Other nursing homes nearby
By straight-line distance (not driving distance).
- Brooke Grove Rehab. & Nursing Center1.2 mi · Sandy Spring, MD · 3 of 5 stars
- Bedford Court Healthcare Cent.3.5 mi · Silver Spring, MD · 5 of 5 stars
- Layhill Nursing and Rehabilitation Center3.8 mi · Silver Spring, MD · 2 of 5 stars
- Harmony Suites Rehabilitation and Wellness Center4.2 mi · Silver Spring, MD · 2 of 5 stars
- Fairland Center5.4 mi · Silver Spring, MD · 2 of 5 stars
Nearest hospital emergency rooms
- MedStar Montgomery Medical Center1.8 mi · Olney, MD · Acute Care Hospital
- Adventist Healthcare White Oak Medical Center5.5 mi · Silver Spring, MD · Acute Care Hospital
- Holy Cross Hospital8.5 mi · Silver Spring, MD · Acute Care Hospital
Sources
- Provider Information — Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), data updated 2026-10-01, retrieved 2026-11-13
- Medicare Care Compare — official Medicare profile of this provider
- Health Deficiencies — CMS, data updated 2026-10-01, retrieved 2026-11-13
- Fire Safety Deficiencies — CMS, data updated 2026-10-01, retrieved 2026-11-13
- Penalties — CMS, data updated 2026-10-01, retrieved 2026-11-13
- Ownership — CMS, data updated 2026-10-01, retrieved 2026-11-13
- State US Averages — CMS, data updated 2026-10-01, retrieved 2026-11-13
- Survey Summary — CMS, data updated 2026-10-01, retrieved 2026-11-13
- Citation Code Look-up — CMS, data updated 2026-10-01, retrieved 2026-11-13
- Inspection Dates — CMS, data updated 2026-10-01, retrieved 2026-11-13