BRISTOL HOSPICE - BAKERSFIELD
Provider Information
- Address
- 4900 CALIFORNIA AVE, SUITE 110A
BAKERSFIELD, CA 93309 - Ownership Type
- For-Profit
- Medicare Certified Since
- November 12, 1998
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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) | 30 |
| Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN) | 19 |
| Volunteers | 2 |
86
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 BRISTOL HOSPICE - BAKERSFIELD 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
- Both general inpatient care and respite care
- 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 2020.
Care Details from Medicare Data
Medicare computes these numbers from claims and required reporting. They show how BRISTOL HOSPICE - BAKERSFIELD compares to hospices nationwide.
14.9 minutes
of nurse care per routine home care day, on average
That is the 75th percentile among hospices nationally. The national median is about 12 minutes.
222
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 day14.9 min
Ranks better than about 75% 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 weekends4.7%
Ranks better than about 13% 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 life85.6%
Ranks better than about 20% 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 visits30.2%
Ranks better than about 79% 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 care13.1%
Ranks better than about 13% 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 months41%
Ranks better than about 38% 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 care3.3%
Ranks better than about 71% 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 hospice1.6%
Ranks better than about 42% 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$22,328 · 72nd 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 10.8% of patients or more. Most hospices score above 90 percent.
- Pain screening99.9%
- 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 life10.8%
- All care steps completed99.9%
Conditions of patients in their care
Share of patients by primary diagnosis. Useful if you want a team with experience in a specific condition.
- Cancer23%
- Dementia24%
- Heart and circulatory disease22%
- Lung and respiratory disease10%
- Stroke7%
- Other conditions15%
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, reporting period January 2023 through December 2024. Percentiles are computed by CMS across all reporting hospices.
About Bristol Hospice - Bakersfield
Bristol Hospice - Bakersfield serves families in the Kern County area from their office on California Avenue. They offer care for people with serious illnesses who need support at home. The team is accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Health Care, also known as ACHC. This badge of honor means they follow high standards for safety and patient care. It is a sign of trust for your loved ones.
Provider Details
This is a for-profit provider that began its Medicare journey on November 12, 1998. That is over two decades of serving the Bakersfield community. Being a freestanding hospice means they focus entirely on end of life care. They are not part of a hospital system. The ACHC accreditation they hold is a big deal. It shows they open their doors to outside experts who check their work. Families should know that this provider works hard to meet national goals. They want to ensure every patient gets the right level of support. That is the goal of any good medical team.
Quality Insights
Understanding Hospice Care in Bakersfield
Finding the right care in Bakersfield takes time. This facility employs 86 people who work together to keep patients comfortable. The staff includes 30 registered nurses and 19 licensed practical nurses. That is a large team for a local office. They also have two volunteers who offer extra companionship. The thing is, hospice is about more than just medicine. It is about having a team that listens to your needs. These nurses handle pain and symptoms so you can focus on time with family. That is the real heart of hospice work.
What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider
You have choices when selecting a care team. Do not feel rushed to decide. Start by asking how many nurses will be assigned to your loved one. You should also ask how they handle pain management at night or on weekends. It is good to know if they have experience with your specific diagnosis. Finally, ask how they keep family members updated on changes in care. These questions help you see if they are a good match for your home. You deserve clear answers during this time.
Keep Your Family Stories Alive
Your loved one has a unique life story that deserves to be remembered by future generations. Start recording these precious memories today to create a lasting legacy for your children and grandchildren.
Preserve MemoriesOther Hospice Providers Nearby
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LIBORAH HOSPICE
HOFFMANN HOSPICE
VITAS HEALTHCARE CORPORATION OF CALIFORNIA
BAKERSFIELD COMMUNITY HOSPICE, INC
ARARAT HOSPICE CARE, INC
Helpful Guides for Families
A Complete End of Life Planning Checklist for Families
Feeling overwhelmed by end of life planning? Use our comprehensive hospice planning checklist to organize your loved one's care and simplify difficult decisions.
What CMS Star Ratings Actually Mean for Your Family
Confused by hospice star ratings? Learn how CMS calculates these scores, what they reveal about care quality, and how to find the right provider for your family.
What Nearly 17,000 Hospice Inspection Reports Reveal
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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.