BAKERSFIELD COMMUNITY HOSPICE, INC
Provider Information
- Address
- 1811 OAK ST, STE 160
BAKERSFIELD, CA 93301 - Ownership Type
- For-Profit
- Medicare Certified Since
- August 23, 2013
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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) | 4 |
| Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN) | 1 |
| Physicians | 1 |
| Volunteers | 4 |
15
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 BAKERSFIELD COMMUNITY HOSPICE, INC 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
- Brought in through an outside supplier
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 2019.
Care Details from Medicare Data
Medicare computes these numbers from claims and required reporting. They show how BAKERSFIELD COMMUNITY HOSPICE, INC compares to hospices nationwide.
14.3 minutes
of nurse care per routine home care day, on average
That is the 70th percentile among hospices nationally. The national median is about 12 minutes.
85
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 day14.3 min
Ranks better than about 70% 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 weekends3.2%
Ranks better than about 5% 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 life96.1%
Ranks better than about 71% 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 visits24.7%
Ranks better than about 84% 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 care8.1%
Ranks better than about 38% 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 months38.4%
Ranks better than about 46% 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 care5.8%
Ranks better than about 57% 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 hospice2.3%
Ranks better than about 33% 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)52nd 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$23,516 · 76th 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 7% of patients or more. Most hospices score above 90 percent.
- Pain screening100%
- Pain assessment89.2%
- Breathing difficulty screening100%
- Breathing difficulty treatment98.5%
- Treatment preferences discussed100%
- Beliefs and values discussed100%
- Bowel care for patients on opioids81.1%
- Visits in the last days of life7%
- All care steps completed91.7%
Conditions of patients in their care
Share of patients by primary diagnosis. Useful if you want a team with experience in a specific condition.
- Cancer13%
- Dementia22%
- Heart and circulatory disease17%
- Lung and respiratory disease11%
- Stroke11%
- Other conditions26%
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, reporting period January 2023 through December 2024. Percentiles are computed by CMS across all reporting hospices.
About Bakersfield Community Hospice
Bakersfield Community Hospice, Inc operates in Bakersfield, California. This provider offers hospice care services to the local community. They have been certified by Medicare since August 2013. The organization holds accreditation from the Joint Commission, which is a national group that checks for high standards in healthcare settings. Getting this status means they meet strict rules for safety and care quality. Their team works out of an office on Oak Street to help families in Kern County during difficult times. This local presence allows them to respond to the needs of the community quickly and effectively.
About BAKERSFIELD COMMUNITY HOSPICE, INC
This provider is a for-profit hospice. They operate as a freestanding hospice agency. That means they are not part of a larger hospital system. The Joint Commission accreditation they hold is a big indicator of their performance. This group performs regular reviews to ensure agencies follow best practices for patient safety and comfort. Families should know that this accreditation is voluntary but shows a commitment to high standards. It is one way to measure how a hospice manages its daily operations. With over a decade of Medicare certification, they have a long history of serving the region. You should ask about their specific experience with your loved one's condition to see if their care model fits your needs well.
What Is Hospice Care Like in BAKERSFIELD?
Hospice care in Kern County focuses on comfort and quality of life for those with serious illness. The team at this provider includes fifteen total employees who handle different parts of the care plan. This includes four registered nurses and one licensed practical nurse to monitor health needs daily. They also have one physician on staff to oversee medical decisions. Four volunteers are part of the group as well. They provide extra support and companionship to patients. Most families find that having a mix of medical experts and volunteers helps cover all their needs. The goal is to keep the patient comfortable in their own home or their chosen setting. It is about making sure the patient feels supported by a team that knows the local area well.
What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider
You have the right to ask questions before picking a hospice agency. Start by asking how quickly a nurse can arrive if a sudden problem happens at night or on the weekend. You should also ask how the team will talk to your own doctor about your care plan. Ask them how they handle pain management and what methods they use to keep the patient comfortable. It is also smart to ask how often a nurse will visit your home. You need to know who will be your main contact person if you have questions or concerns. Clear communication makes a big difference. Write down the answers you get so you can compare your options later on.
Other Hospice Providers Nearby
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HOFFMANN HOSPICE
ARARAT HOSPICE CARE, INC
SOLACE HOSPICE CARE INC
TRADITIONS HEALTH
AASTA HOSPICE
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