HOSPICE OF THE NORTH COAST
Provider Information
- Address
- 2525 PIO PICO DRIVE, SUITE 301
CARLSBAD, CA 92008 - Ownership Type
- Other
- Medicare Certified Since
- July 22, 1999
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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 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
| Role | Staff Count |
|---|---|
| Registered Nurses (RN) | 26 |
| Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN) | 9 |
| Volunteers | 12 |
70
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 HOSPICE OF THE NORTH COAST reported, not a check of what it offers today. Confirm current arrangements with the hospice.
- Short-term inpatient care
- Provided directly by this hospice
- Type of inpatient care
- Both general inpatient care and respite care
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.
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 HOSPICE OF THE NORTH COAST compares to hospices nationwide.
11.2 minutes
of nurse care per routine home care day, on average
That is the 38th percentile among hospices nationally. The national median is about 12 minutes.
192
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 day11.2 min
Ranks better than about 38% 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 weekends9.6%
Ranks better than about 67% 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 life96.3%
Ranks better than about 73% 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 visits65.1%
Ranks better than about 33% 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 care3.1%
Ranks better than about 72% 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 months50.3%
Ranks better than about 17% 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 care9.2%
Ranks better than about 39% 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%
Ranks better than about 50% 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)92nd 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$21,388 · 68th 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 73% of patients or more. Most hospices score above 90 percent.
- Pain screening99.1%
- Pain assessment100%
- Breathing difficulty screening99.8%
- Breathing difficulty treatment99.8%
- Treatment preferences discussed100%
- Beliefs and values discussed100%
- Bowel care for patients on opioids100%
- Visits in the last days of life73%
- All care steps completed98.7%
Conditions of patients in their care
Share of patients by primary diagnosis. Useful if you want a team with experience in a specific condition.
- Cancer30%
- Dementia24%
- Heart and circulatory disease22%
- Lung and respiratory disease7%
- Stroke8%
- Other conditions11%
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Percentiles are computed by CMS across all reporting hospices.
Hospice of the North Coast in Carlsbad
Hospice of the North Coast serves patients in Carlsbad, California. They offer end-of-life care options for those in San Diego County. The provider holds accreditation from The Joint Commission. This group focuses on meeting standards for safety and patient care. They have provided these services to the community since July 1999. Their team consists of 70 staff members total. This includes 26 registered nurses and nine licensed practical nurses. Twelve volunteers also help support their daily operations. By choosing a provider with this level of oversight, families can see how the agency handles their clinical needs. It is a local choice for people in the area who need medical support at home or in a facility. They work to keep patients comfortable throughout their care.
About Hospice of the North Coast
This agency operates as a freestanding hospice. It is not part of a larger hospital system. They are certified by Medicare. Being a Medicare-certified provider means they meet federal rules for health and safety. The Joint Commission accreditation adds another layer of review. This group sends experts to visit the office and check their work. They look at how the agency manages records and trains their 70 employees. That is a big step for quality. Families should know that this provider holds strong marks for their quality of care. They also receive positive feedback from patients in surveys. These scores come from official government programs that track how well hospices perform across the country. You can see how they rank compared to other providers in the state. Checking these results helps you understand the level of service they provide to the community.
Quality Highlights
What Is Hospice Care Like in Carlsbad?
Hospice care in Carlsbad focuses on comfort and dignity for the patient. A team of experts visits you at home or in a nursing facility. They manage pain and other symptoms so you can focus on time with your loved ones. The team includes doctors, nurses, and social workers. They also use volunteers to provide extra support. With 26 registered nurses and nine licensed practical nurses on staff, this provider maintains a clear plan for your care. They visit on a schedule that fits your needs. And they are available by phone if a sudden issue arises during the night. The goal is to keep you in a familiar place as long as possible. Many people find that this support makes a difference for the whole family. You have options for how this care looks day to day.
What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider
You should feel confident in your choice. Start by asking how quickly a nurse can arrive if you call with a problem. This shows how they handle emergencies. Ask about their team size and who will be the main person you call. You also want to know how they support family members with grief. It is good to ask how they handle changes in the patient's condition. Ask if they have staff available on weekends or holidays. Do they have volunteers who can sit with the patient? These questions help you see if their services match what you need. Take your time to get answers that make sense to you. You are the one who knows the patient best. Feel free to ask until you are sure about the care plan.
Keep Your Family Stories Alive
During this time, memories become even more precious. Create a space to save and share your family history with those who matter most.
Preserve MemoriesOther Hospice Providers Nearby
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PACIFIC POINT HOSPICE & PALLIATIVE CARE
DIGNITY HOSPICE CARE INC
SERENITY HOSPICE CARE
GRACE HOSPICE, INC
HOSPICE OF REDLANDS COMMUNITY HOSPITAL
Helpful Guides for Families
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.
How to Choose a Hospice Provider: A Family’s Complete Guide
Feeling overwhelmed? Our hospice selection guide helps you compare providers, understand Medicare benefits, and make the best choice for your loved one today.
Understanding Medicare Hospice Benefit: A Family Guide
Confused by hospice coverage? Our guide to understanding Medicare hospice benefits helps you navigate care options and costs with confidence and clarity.
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.