CARDINAL HOSPICE AND PALLIATIVE CARE
Provider Information
- Address
- 500 NORTH PALM AVENUE
ONTARIO, CA 91762 - Ownership Type
- For-Profit
- Medicare Certified Since
- August 30, 2021
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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) | 1 |
| Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN) | 1 |
| Volunteers | 0 |
4
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 CARDINAL HOSPICE AND PALLIATIVE CARE 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 2021.
Care Details from Medicare Data
Medicare computes these numbers from claims and required reporting. They show how CARDINAL HOSPICE AND PALLIATIVE CARE compares to hospices nationwide.
11.4 minutes
of nurse care per routine home care day, on average
That is the 40th percentile among hospices nationally. The national median is about 12 minutes.
4
patients in care on an average day
A rough measure of size. Smaller can mean more personal. Larger can mean more resources.
Medicare reports this hospice billed for routine home care only. Hospices can also provide continuous home care, inpatient care, and respite care when symptoms are harder to manage. There can be good reasons for this. Ask the provider how they handle a crisis at home.
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 day11.4 min
Ranks better than about 40% 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 weekends3.8%
Ranks better than about 7% 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 life100%
Ranks better than about 99% 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 visits75%
Ranks better than about 19% 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 care0%
Ranks better than about 81% 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 months81.8%
Ranks better than about 1% 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 care0%
Ranks better than about 81% 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 hospice0%
Ranks better than about 55% 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$33,235 · 94th 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.
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Percentiles are computed by CMS across all reporting hospices.
Cardinal Hospice and Palliative Care
Cardinal Hospice and Palliative Care serves families in Ontario, California. This freestanding provider offers hospice services for patients in San Bernardino County. They have been certified by Medicare since 2021. The agency maintains accreditation through the Accreditation Commission for Health Care. This status shows they meet specific standards for quality and safety. Choosing a provider is a big decision for your family. Having this extra layer of third-party review can help you feel more at ease during your search. You deserve clear information about your care options.
About Cardinal Hospice and Palliative Care
This provider operates as a for-profit organization. They have held Medicare certification for several years now. The accreditation from the Accreditation Commission for Health Care is a specific mark of quality. This group checks that the agency follows strict rules for patient care and business practices. They look at how the team handles medical records and patient safety. It is not just about paperwork. It is about making sure the clinical team follows set rules every day. The agency is a smaller team, which sometimes allows for a more focused approach to daily operations. Families should know that this provider is held to these national standards. You can ask them directly how their team meets these requirements in your own home. That is a smart way to get a better sense of their daily work style.
Quality Performance
What Is Hospice Care Like in Ontario?
Hospice care in this area focuses on comfort and relief. The goal is to support the patient and the family together. At this location, the team consists of four total employees. This includes one registered nurse and one licensed practical nurse. They work to manage pain and symptoms for those they serve. They do not currently use volunteers in their care model. This means your care will come directly from their small, dedicated professional staff. That can be a plus for families who prefer consistent faces during visits. You will want to ask how they handle after-hours calls. Every hospice agency must have a plan for emergencies. Make sure you understand how their specific team covers nights and weekends. It helps to have a clear plan for your peace of mind.
What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider
You should feel empowered to ask questions before you sign any paperwork. Start by asking how quickly a nurse can get to your home if an urgent need arises. You should also ask who will be the main contact for your family during the week. It is good to know if they provide care on weekends or holidays. Ask how they manage medication changes or new symptoms that appear suddenly. You might also ask how they work with your current primary doctor. Good communication between your doctor and the hospice team is a must. Finally, ask what happens if your needs change and you require a higher level of care. A good provider will have clear answers for all these points. Take your time with these questions.
Preserve Your Family Stories
Every life is a book filled with unique moments and wisdom. Capture these memories now to share with your loved ones for years to come.
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