KAISER FOUNDATION HOSPITAL SAN DIEGO HOSPICE
Provider Information
- Address
- 8954 RIO SAN DIEGO DR, 2ND FLOOR, SUITE 200
SAN DIEGO, CA 92108 - Ownership Type
- Non-Profit
- Medicare Certified Since
- December 19, 1986
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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) | 23 |
| Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN) | 2 |
| Physicians | 4 |
40
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 KAISER FOUNDATION HOSPITAL SAN DIEGO HOSPICE 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 That code may be out of date.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.
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 KAISER FOUNDATION HOSPITAL SAN DIEGO HOSPICE compares to hospices nationwide.
14.2 minutes
of nurse care per routine home care day, on average
That is the 70th percentile among hospices nationally. The national median is about 12 minutes.
96
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 day14.2 min
Ranks better than about 70% 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 weekends9.7%
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 life86.6%
Ranks better than about 22% 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 visits55.1%
Ranks better than about 47% 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 care1.5%
Ranks better than about 80% 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 months22.1%
Ranks better than about 85% 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)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$13,544 · 26th 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 39.3% of patients or more. Most hospices score above 90 percent.
- Pain screening98.9%
- Pain assessment95.9%
- Breathing difficulty screening97.3%
- Breathing difficulty treatment95.4%
- Treatment preferences discussed99.9%
- Beliefs and values discussed99.9%
- Bowel care for patients on opioids99.2%
- Visits in the last days of life39.3%
- All care steps completed92.8%
Conditions of patients in their care
Share of patients by primary diagnosis. Useful if you want a team with experience in a specific condition.
- Cancer47%
- Dementia12%
- Heart and circulatory disease14%
- Lung and respiratory disease6%
- Stroke4%
- Other conditions18%
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, reporting period January 2023 through December 2024. Percentiles are computed by CMS across all reporting hospices.
Hospice Care at Kaiser Foundation Hospital San Diego
Kaiser Foundation Hospital San Diego Hospice provides compassionate end-of-life care in San Diego, California. Their professional team works to support patients and their families during difficult times. They focus on comfort and quality of life for those facing a life-limiting illness. By offering medical and emotional support, they help patients live their final days with dignity. The team is dedicated to serving the San Diego community with reliable care. They aim to reduce pain and provide peace of mind to all families in their care. Choosing the right hospice is a major step. This provider serves patients in the San Diego area from their office on San Diego Mission Road.
About Kaiser Foundation Hospital San Diego Hospice
This hospice operates as a non-profit organization. It has been certified by Medicare since December 1986. Many families feel better choosing a provider with such a long history of service. Being non-profit often means the focus stays on patient needs rather than profit. They have a strong record of meeting federal standards for care. Families should know that this provider works closely with the larger Kaiser hospital system. This can offer a seamless transition for patients already using Kaiser services. It is important to talk with their staff about what specific services they offer in your home. Their long history shows they have helped many families in San Diego over the years. You can reach them at (619) 641-4100 to discuss your needs.
Quality of Care Ratings
Understanding Hospice Care in San Diego
San Diego has many options for hospice care. Hospice is not just for the final days of life. It is best to start care as soon as a doctor suggests it. This helps the team manage pain and symptoms early. Hospice care can happen in your own home, a nursing home, or a hospital. The goal is to help you stay comfortable where you feel most at ease. In a large city like San Diego, you have choices that fit your family's unique situation. Many providers offer 24/7 support lines for emergencies. You should look for a team that listens to your concerns. They should explain how they will support your loved one every day. Good hospice care brings peace and comfort to the whole family unit.
What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider
Choosing a hospice is a big decision for your family. You should feel comfortable with the team you pick. Here are some questions to ask during your first meeting:
- How quickly can a nurse get to my home in an emergency?
- What support do you provide for the family members who are grieving?
- How do you manage pain and keep the patient comfortable?
- Can you explain how your team works with our current doctors?
Write down these questions before you call. It helps to have a family member with you to take notes. Do not be afraid to ask for more details on anything you do not understand. You deserve clear answers to help make the right choice for your loved one.
Preserve Your Family Stories
This time is precious for your family. Creating a digital record of memories can be a comfort for everyone involved. Start capturing those stories today.
Learn MoreOther Hospice Providers Nearby
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AVALON HOSPICE & PALLIATIVE CARE
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VITAS HEALTHCARE CORPORATION OF CALIFORNIA
ACCENTCARE HOSPICE & PALLIATIVE CARE OF CALIFORNI
GENTIVA
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