ELIZABETH HOSPICE
Provider Information
- Address
- 800 W VALLEY PARK #100
ESCONDIDO, CA 92025 - Ownership Type
- Non-Profit
- Medicare Certified Since
- June 2, 1987
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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) | 84 |
| Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN) | 45 |
| Physicians | 6 |
| Volunteers | 30 |
289
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 ELIZABETH 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 2018.
Care Details from Medicare Data
Medicare computes these numbers from claims and required reporting. They show how ELIZABETH HOSPICE compares to hospices nationwide.
16.2 minutes
of nurse care per routine home care day, on average
That is the 83rd percentile among hospices nationally. The national median is about 12 minutes.
294
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 day16.2 min
Ranks better than about 83% 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 weekends8.3%
Ranks better than about 54% 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 life90.6%
Ranks better than about 33% 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 visits68.8%
Ranks better than about 28% 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 care10.2%
Ranks better than about 25% 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 months38.9%
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 care5.6%
Ranks better than about 58% 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 hospice1.9%
Ranks better than about 39% 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$18,083 · 51st 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 24.6% of patients or more. Most hospices score above 90 percent.
- Pain screening100%
- Pain assessment99.8%
- Breathing difficulty screening100%
- Breathing difficulty treatment100%
- Treatment preferences discussed100%
- Beliefs and values discussed99.6%
- Bowel care for patients on opioids99.8%
- Visits in the last days of life24.6%
- All care steps completed99.4%
Conditions of patients in their care
Share of patients by primary diagnosis. Useful if you want a team with experience in a specific condition.
- Cancer34%
- Dementia11%
- Heart and circulatory disease12%
- Lung and respiratory disease8%
- Stroke22%
- Other conditions15%
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Percentiles are computed by CMS across all reporting hospices.
Overview of Elizabeth Hospice
Elizabeth Hospice serves the Escondido area from its home base on West Valley Park. This nonprofit provider offers hospice care to support patients and families during end-of-life transitions. They earned certification from Medicare in 1987. The provider maintains accreditation through the Joint Commission. This group acts as an independent watchdog for healthcare safety and quality standards across the United States. Choosing a hospice with this level of oversight gives families a clear sign that the organization follows strict rules for patient safety. They operate as a freestanding hospice rather than a part of a larger hospital system.
About ELIZABETH HOSPICE
As a nonprofit organization, this hospice focuses on care delivery rather than profit margins. They have served the community for decades since becoming Medicare certified in June 1987. The Joint Commission accreditation adds another layer of security for families. This organization sends surveyors to check that the hospice meets high standards for care and infection control. If a hospice earns this stamp of approval, it shows they work hard to keep their processes in line with national benchmarks. Families should know that this provider maintains strong marks for quality of care based on federal hospice index reports. They balance this clinical strength with a large team of 289 employees. This includes 84 registered nurses and 45 licensed practical nurses who provide daily bedside support. Six doctors and 30 volunteers round out the team to ensure patients receive consistent attention throughout their time in the program.
Quality Performance
What Is Hospice Care Like in ESCONDIDO?
Hospice care in San Diego County focuses on comfort and dignity for patients with serious illnesses. You will find that local providers typically build a team around your loved one. This team works to manage pain and provide emotional support at home or in a facility. At Elizabeth Hospice, the staff includes a large group of nurses and physicians dedicated to this specific mission. With 84 registered nurses and 45 licensed practical nurses on staff, they have the team size to handle complex medical needs. These professionals visit patients to check on symptoms and adjust care plans as health changes occur. Volunteers also play a part by offering companionship and respite for tired family caregivers. This approach keeps the patient comfortable in their own environment while the staff handles the medical details. It is a team effort meant to provide peace of mind for everyone involved.
What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider
You should meet with a few providers before making a final choice for your family. Ask how quickly a nurse can reach your home if an emergency happens at night. Find out if the team has experience with your specific health condition. It helps to know how they handle pain management and if they offer support for family members after a loss. Ask about the ratio of staff to patients so you understand how much time they can spend with your loved one each week. Check if they have a local office nearby that allows for quick response times. Finally, ask how they coordinate care with your current primary doctor. Clear communication prevents confusion during difficult times. You want a team that listens to your questions and provides honest answers about what the coming months will look like for your family.
Preserve Your Family History
Every life is a collection of stories that deserve to be kept safe for future generations. Start recording your family legacy today.
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