COMPASSUS-GADSDEN
Provider Information
- Address
- 1735 HIGHWAY 77
SOUTHSIDE, AL 35907 - Ownership Type
- For-Profit
- Medicare Certified Since
- February 16, 2001
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CMS Quality Ratings
Composite score combining quality measures and patient survey results.
Based on the CMS Hospice Care Index — 10 operational quality indicators including visits near death, nursing minutes, and care transitions.
CAHPS Hospice Survey — family caregivers rate communication, symptom management, respect, and overall experience.
CMS scores as of May 2026. Quality of Care derived from CMS Hospice Care Index. Patient Satisfaction from the CMS CAHPS Hospice Survey. Overall is the equally-weighted average of both. All source data published by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.
Staffing & Capacity
| Role | Staff Count |
|---|---|
| Registered Nurses (RN) | 17 |
| Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN) | 1 |
| Physicians | 3 |
| Volunteers | 23 |
55
Total Employees
Staffing data as reported to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.
Inpatient Care and Medical Equipment
Hospices report these services to Medicare when they are certified. This is what COMPASSUS-GADSDEN reported, not a check of what it offers today. Confirm current arrangements with the hospice.
- Short-term inpatient care
- Arranged through another hospital or nursing home
- Type of inpatient care
- Respite care (up to five days at a time, to give family caregivers a break)
- Medical supplies and equipment
- Supplied directly by this hospice
Short stays in a hospice inpatient unit, hospital, or nursing home for pain or symptoms that cannot be managed where the patient lives, or to give family caregivers a break.
Equipment and supplies tied to the terminal illness and the plan of care, such as a hospital bed, oxygen, wound supplies, or a wheelchair.
Medicare lets hospices provide these services through arrangements with other organizations. Either way, the hospice stays responsible for the covered care in the patient’s plan of care.
Reported by this hospice to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services when it was certified in 2018.
Care Details from Medicare Data
Medicare computes these numbers from claims and required reporting. They show how COMPASSUS-GADSDEN compares to hospices nationwide.
10.8 minutes
of nurse care per routine home care day, on average
That is the 34th percentile among hospices nationally. The national median is about 12 minutes.
137
patients in care on an average day
A rough measure of size. Smaller can mean more personal. Larger can mean more resources.
How this hospice compares nationally
Bars show national standing on measures from the CMS Hospice Care Index. A fuller bar means this hospice does better than more of the hospices CMS tracks.
- Nurse care minutes per home care day10.8 min
Ranks better than about 34% of hospices nationally on this measure.
What this measures
The average minutes of nursing care per day for patients getting routine care at home, based on Medicare claims. More nurse time usually means more hands-on support.
- Skilled nursing on weekends6.6%
Ranks better than about 34% of hospices nationally on this measure.
What this measures
The share of skilled nursing time delivered on Saturdays and Sundays. Symptoms do not wait for weekdays, so weekend coverage matters.
- Nurse visits in the last days of life96.7%
Ranks better than about 76% of hospices nationally on this measure.
What this measures
The share of patients who got nurse visits in their final days of life. This is when families tend to need the most support.
- Gaps in nursing visits43.5%
Ranks better than about 62% of hospices nationally on this measure.
What this measures
How often patients went more than a week without a nursing visit. Fewer gaps mean steadier attention.
- Patients discharged alive early in care7.1%
Ranks better than about 44% of hospices nationally on this measure.
What this measures
The share of patients who left hospice alive within the first week of care. A rate of 0% means it did not happen to any of their patients.
- Patients discharged alive after 6 months48.2%
Ranks better than about 21% of hospices nationally on this measure.
What this measures
The share of patients discharged alive after six months or more in hospice care.
- Hospital transfers near the end of care4.7%
Ranks better than about 63% of hospices nationally on this measure.
What this measures
The share of patients who left hospice, spent time in the hospital, then came back to hospice.
- Hospital stays that interrupt hospice0.4%
Ranks better than about 55% of hospices nationally on this measure.
What this measures
The share of patients who left hospice, went to the hospital, and died there soon after.
- Days at higher levels of care (CHC or GIP)67th percentile
What this measures
The share of care days delivered at higher levels, such as continuous home care or inpatient care. Shown only as a national rank because small percentages round to zero.
- Medicare spending per patient$17,797 · 49th percentile
What this measures
What Medicare paid per patient for this hospice's care. Higher or lower spending is not a quality judgment by itself.
Care steps completed at admissionShow detailsMedicare tracked 9 required care steps for new patients here, completed for 81.5% of patients or more. Most hospices score above 90 percent.
- Pain screening100%
- Pain assessment100%
- Breathing difficulty screening100%
- Breathing difficulty treatment100%
- Treatment preferences discussed100%
- Beliefs and values discussed100%
- Bowel care for patients on opioids100%
- Visits in the last days of life81.5%
- All care steps completed100%
Conditions of patients in their care
Share of patients by primary diagnosis. Useful if you want a team with experience in a specific condition.
- Cancer16%
- Dementia29%
- Heart and circulatory disease30%
- Lung and respiratory disease11%
- Stroke6%
- Other conditions11%
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, reporting period January 2023 through December 2024. Percentiles are computed by CMS across all reporting hospices.
Compassus-Gadsden Overview
Compassus-Gadsden provides hospice care for families in Southside, Alabama. They operate as a freestanding hospice agency. This means they focus entirely on end of life care. They earned accreditation from the Accreditation Commission for Health Care. This group checks providers to make sure they follow high safety standards. It shows they care about quality. The team serves the Etowah area with a dedicated staff. They have been certified by Medicare since early 2001. That is over two decades of local experience. You want a provider that knows the area well. This team brings that long history to every home visit. They prioritize comfort for every single patient they serve.
About Compassus-Gadsden
This is a for-profit hospice provider. Accreditation from the Accreditation Commission for Health Care is a big deal. It means an outside group reviewed their work. They confirmed the agency meets tough national rules for patient care. Families should feel good about this. It shows they value oversight. The agency employs 55 people total. This includes 17 registered nurses and one licensed practical nurse. They also have three physicians on the team. Having so many nurses is a great sign for your loved one. It means help is nearby when symptoms change. They also work with 23 volunteers. Volunteers add a human touch that medical staff sometimes cannot. These people provide companionship and support. That makes a difference during hard times.
Quality of Care
Understanding Hospice Care in Southside
Hospice is about living well for as long as possible. It is not just for the final days. The team in Southside focuses on managing pain and symptoms. They want patients to stay at home if that is their wish. The staff composition is quite clear here. With 17 registered nurses, they have a strong clinical presence. That is a lot of eyes on the patient. They also rely on a large volunteer group. These volunteers help with daily tasks or just listen. That is a big help for tired caregivers. The goal is simple. They want to keep your loved one comfortable and peaceful. You are not meant to do this alone. Reach out to them to learn how their team fits your specific needs.
What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider
Choosing a hospice is a heavy task. You need to ask the right questions. Start by asking how quickly a nurse can get to your home. You should also ask how they handle pain management at night. This is a common worry. Ask how they keep the family involved in the care plan. And ask how they support the family after a loss. These questions help you see if they are a good fit. Do not be afraid to ask for details. You deserve clear answers. A good hospice team will be happy to talk. They should make you feel heard and respected. Take your time to find the right partner for your family.
Preserve Your Family Stories
Every person has a unique life story that deserves to be remembered. We help you collect and share those precious memories with your loved ones.
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