HospiceScout

BAKERSFIELD COMMUNITY HOSPICE, INC

For-ProfitJoint Commission (JCAHO) AccreditedFreestanding Hospice

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

Overall Rating

Composite score combining quality measures and patient survey results.

Quality of Care

Based on the CMS Hospice Care Index — 10 operational quality indicators including visits near death, nursing minutes, and care transitions.

Patient Satisfaction

CAHPS Hospice Survey — family caregivers rate communication, symptom management, respect, and overall experience.

CMS scores as of August 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

Staffing breakdown for BAKERSFIELD COMMUNITY HOSPICE, INC
RoleStaff Count
Registered Nurses (RN)4
Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN)1
Physicians1
Volunteers4

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

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.

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

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 assessment86.9%
  • Breathing difficulty screening100%
  • Breathing difficulty treatment97.5%
  • Treatment preferences discussed100%
  • Beliefs and values discussed100%
  • Bowel care for patients on opioids74.5%
  • Visits in the last days of life7%
  • All care steps completed89.2%

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. Percentiles are computed by CMS across all reporting hospices.

Bakersfield Community Hospice, Inc.

Bakersfield Community Hospice, Inc. serves the Bakersfield, California area from its office on Oak Street. This provider offers end-of-life care for families in Kern County. They hold accreditation from the Joint Commission. This group has provided Medicare hospice services since August 2013.

About Bakersfield Community Hospice, Inc.

This is a for-profit hospice agency that operates as a freestanding provider. They have been certified by Medicare for over a decade. The Joint Commission accreditation shows they meet national standards for safety and quality. This group uses a team of 15 employees to support their patients. This staff includes four registered nurses and one practical nurse. They also have a doctor on staff and four volunteers. That is a solid team for patient support. Families should know that accreditation means an outside group checked their work. These experts look at how the agency handles medicine and patient safety. It is a sign that they follow strict rules to keep care safe. You can feel better knowing they have met these high goals.

Quality Overview

This provider earns strong marks in quality of care and patient satisfaction. They hold a high overall rating based on CMS data and maintain accreditation for their services.

What Is Hospice Care Like in Bakersfield?

Hospice care in Kern County focuses on comfort for patients with a limited life expectancy. The goal is to manage pain and improve the quality of each day. Staff members visit your home to provide care and support. This team approach is common in the area. At this specific agency, the staff includes 15 people who work together. They have four registered nurses and one practical nurse to help with medical needs. A doctor also oversees the care plan for every patient. Four volunteers are available to offer extra help or companionship as well. These workers communicate with each other to keep care steady. They focus on the physical and emotional needs of the person in their care. Every hospice team in the state must follow federal rules for their services. This keeps the care consistent for families throughout the region.

What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider

Picking a hospice agency is a big decision for your family. You should feel comfortable with the people entering your home. Ask how quickly a nurse can arrive if you have a sudden need. It is also good to ask how they handle pain management on nights or weekends. You might want to know how often a nurse will visit your loved one. Ask if they have experience with the specific condition your family member faces. These questions help you understand their daily routine. Do not be afraid to ask about their volunteer services. You can also ask for details on how they support family members during the grieving process. Get clear answers to every question you have. Good communication is the foundation of the care they will provide for you.

Preserving Family Stories

Capture the life stories and memories of your loved ones during this time. Saving these moments creates a lasting gift for future generations.

Start Preserving

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Helpful Guides for Families

Some stories are worth writing down

Between the calls and the paperwork, many families wish they had asked more about the person at the center of it all. A recorded conversation, a favorite recipe, the story behind an old photo. Small things now can mean a great deal later. Our legacy guides show simple ways to start.