BRISTOL HOSPICE - SAN DIEGO
Provider Information
- Address
- 8765 AERO DRIVE, SUITE 226
SAN DIEGO, CA 92123 - Ownership Type
- For-Profit
- Medicare Certified Since
- February 12, 2016
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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) | 1 |
| Physicians | 1 |
| Volunteers | 2 |
7
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 - SAN DIEGO reported, not a check of what it offers today. Confirm current arrangements with the hospice.
An older Medicare record for this hospice lists short-term inpatient care as “not provided.” That code may be out of date. Medicare requires certified hospices to make inpatient care available for symptom management and caregiver respite. Ask this hospice how it arranges a bed if symptoms become hard to manage at home.
- Medical supplies and equipment
- Brought in through an outside supplier
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 2019.
Care Details from Medicare Data
Medicare computes these numbers from claims and required reporting. They show how BRISTOL HOSPICE - SAN DIEGO compares to hospices nationwide.
12.8 minutes
of nurse care per routine home care day, on average
That is the 56th 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 day12.8 min
Ranks better than about 56% 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 weekends9.3%
Ranks better than about 64% 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 life90.7%
Ranks better than about 34% 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 visits74.8%
Ranks better than about 20% 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 care8.5%
Ranks better than about 36% 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 months29.8%
Ranks better than about 70% 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 care10.6%
Ranks better than about 33% 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 hospice2.1%
Ranks better than about 36% 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)67th 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$23,588 · 77th 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 8 required care steps for new patients here, completed for 16% of patients or more. Most hospices score above 90 percent.
- Pain screening100%
- Pain assessment93.8%
- Breathing difficulty screening100%
- Breathing difficulty treatment98.4%
- Treatment preferences discussed99.4%
- Beliefs and values discussed100%
- Visits in the last days of life16%
- All care steps completed96.6%
Conditions of patients in their care
Share of patients by primary diagnosis. Useful if you want a team with experience in a specific condition.
- Cancer18%
- Dementia38%
- Heart and circulatory disease13%
- Lung and respiratory disease7%
- Stroke10%
- Other conditions16%
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 - San Diego
Bristol Hospice - San Diego provides specialized end-of-life care for residents in San Diego, California. The agency offers support for patients and their families at home or in residential settings. They hold accreditation from the Joint Commission, which shows they meet strict standards for patient safety and quality. This hospice team focuses on comfort and dignity during a difficult season. They have served the community since early 2016. Finding the right care is a big step. This provider offers a clear option for those in the 92123 area code looking for expert medical oversight. Their team includes a registered nurse and a physician to manage symptoms. They also work with volunteers to add extra support for daily needs. Families can expect a structured approach to care that honors personal wishes. It is important to look at how a team works together to meet your goals.
About the Provider
This agency operates as a for-profit provider. It has been certified by Medicare since 2016. Being a freestanding hospice means they focus only on these specific services. The Joint Commission accreditation is a key detail for families to consider. This group sets high bars for how care should be delivered. They check the agency on a regular basis to ensure they follow rules. This keeps the quality of care high. Most families want to know that a third party verifies the work being done. This provider has a total team of seven people on staff. That small size allows for close attention to each patient. You should ask how they handle after-hours calls or weekend needs. Clear communication is the best tool for peace of mind. Their status as a certified provider means they follow federal rules for care. That is the standard for quality.
Quality Performance
What Is Hospice Care Like in San Diego?
Hospice care in San Diego connects families with medical experts who visit the patient where they live. The goal is to manage pain and improve the quality of each day. This provider uses a small team to deliver these services. Their staff includes one registered nurse and one physician. Two volunteers also help provide companionship for patients. That is a tight-knit group. They work to keep the patient at home whenever possible. The team creates a plan that covers medicine, supplies, and emotional support. You will find that local care focuses on keeping things simple. Most families appreciate having a doctor and nurse who know their specific case well. The team meets often to adjust the plan based on how the patient feels. This keeps care responsive to changing needs. It is about making sure the patient is comfortable and heard. That is how good care works.
What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider
You should feel confident before you sign any paperwork. Start by asking how the team handles pain management on weekends. You need to know who answers the phone at three in the morning. Ask how often the nurse will visit the home. It is also good to ask how they support family members during the grieving process. Do they offer help for caregivers who feel tired? Ask about their experience with your specific health needs. You want a team that has seen similar situations before. Ask for a clear list of what the hospice team covers. Will they provide the medical equipment needed for the home? Getting these answers early helps you avoid surprises later on. Write these down before your meeting. Bring a friend or family member to take notes for you. This makes the process much easier to manage.
Preserve Your Family Stories
The time you spend with loved ones is precious. Capture their memories and wisdom to keep their legacy alive for the next generation.
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Helpful Guides for Families
Starting the End-of-Life Conversation: A Family Guide
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Choosing a Hospice Provider: A 5-Step Quality Guide
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Starting Difficult Conversations: A Guide for Families
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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.