SKIRBALL HOSPICE
Provider Information
- Address
- 6345 BALBOA BLVD., SUITE 315
ENCINO, CA 91316 - Ownership Type
- Non-Profit
- Medicare Certified Since
- September 1, 2004
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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) | 7 |
| Physicians | 2 |
| Volunteers | 1 |
42
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 SKIRBALL HOSPICE 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 SKIRBALL HOSPICE compares to hospices nationwide.
20.6 minutes
of nurse care per routine home care day, on average
That is the 96th percentile among hospices nationally. The national median is about 12 minutes.
47
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 day20.6 min
Ranks better than about 96% 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 weekends7.7%
Ranks better than about 47% 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 life93.5%
Ranks better than about 50% 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 visits40.5%
Ranks better than about 66% 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%
Ranks better than about 39% 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 months39%
Ranks better than about 44% 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 care8%
Ranks better than about 45% 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%
Ranks better than about 37% 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$14,214 · 29th 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 55.4% of patients or more. Most hospices score above 90 percent.
- Pain screening99.6%
- Pain assessment87.4%
- Breathing difficulty screening100%
- Breathing difficulty treatment83%
- Treatment preferences discussed100%
- Beliefs and values discussed100%
- Bowel care for patients on opioids60%
- Visits in the last days of life55.4%
- All care steps completed81.6%
Conditions of patients in their care
Share of patients by primary diagnosis. Useful if you want a team with experience in a specific condition.
- Cancer28%
- Dementia23%
- Heart and circulatory disease21%
- Lung and respiratory disease7%
- Stroke9%
- 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 Skirball Hospice
Skirball Hospice serves families in Encino, California. This provider offers end of life care services to support patients and their loved ones. They have been certified by Medicare since September 2004. The organization holds accreditation from the Accreditation Commission for Health Care. That group checks agencies to ensure they follow strict rules for safety and care. This accreditation shows that the hospice works to meet high standards for their patients. They operate as a non-profit organization in Los Angeles County. Choosing a hospice is a big decision for any family. You want to know that the team brings enough skill to the table. Their team includes 17 registered nurses and 7 licensed practical nurses. They also have 2 physicians on staff to help with medical needs. Having these experts helps them provide clear care plans. It is a good starting point for your search.
Understanding Skirball Hospice
Skirball Hospice functions as a non-profit organization. Non-profit providers often put extra money back into their programs. This can mean more resources for patient comfort. They have maintained Medicare certification for two decades. That long history shows they are stable in a changing health system. The Accreditation Commission for Health Care reviews them regularly. These reviews look at how the staff handles medicine and patient safety. Why does this matter? It means an outside group verified their work. You get peace of mind knowing they follow national guidelines. The team is made of 42 total employees who work together. They also have one volunteer who helps with patient needs. Having a mix of nurses and doctors means they can handle complex medical issues at home. Always look for this kind of balance. It helps the team stay focused on the person rather than just the charts.
Quality Summary
What Is Hospice Care Like in Encino?
Hospice care in Encino focuses on keeping patients comfortable in their own homes. The team visits you instead of you visiting a hospital. They manage pain and symptoms so you can spend time with family. Most care happens where the patient lives. This could be a house or a care facility. The team works hard to keep things simple. They bring equipment and medicine to the door. This saves you from driving across town to a clinic. A hospice team usually includes nurses and doctors. Skirball Hospice uses a group of 17 registered nurses. They also have 7 licensed practical nurses to help with daily tasks. Having this many nurses means someone is always ready to assist. It is helpful to have local experts nearby. They know the area well. That makes it easier for them to reach you quickly when you need them most.
What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider
You should ask questions before you pick a provider. Start by asking how quickly a nurse can get to your home. You need to know if they provide support on weekends. Ask who will be the main person you talk to for updates. It helps to have one person who knows your case well. Ask how they handle pain management during the night. You should also ask how they help family members cope with stress. A good hospice will explain their plan in plain words. They should not use medical jargon that is hard to follow. If you feel confused, ask them to say it again. You are the partner in this care. They should listen to your concerns with kindness. Take your time to get the right answers. Your peace of mind depends on clear communication from the start.
Keep Your Family Stories Alive
Your loved one has a lifetime of stories that deserve to be remembered. We provide a simple way to record and save these memories for future generations.
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