SHARP HOSPICECARE
Provider Information
- Address
- 4000 RUFFIN ROAD
SAN DIEGO, CA 92123 - Ownership Type
- For-Profit
- Medicare Certified Since
- December 10, 1992
Are you this hospice's administrator? Update your information
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) | 26 |
| Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN) | 7 |
| Physicians | 1 |
124
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 SHARP HOSPICECARE 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
- Respite care (up to five days at a time, to give family caregivers a break)
- Medical supplies and equipment
- Supplied directly by this hospice
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 SHARP HOSPICECARE compares to hospices nationwide.
14.1 minutes
of nurse care per routine home care day, on average
That is the 69th percentile among hospices nationally. The national median is about 12 minutes.
283
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 day14.1 min
Ranks better than about 69% 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 weekends9.6%
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 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 visits68.7%
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 care11.2%
Ranks better than about 20% 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 months33.2%
Ranks better than about 61% 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 care5.8%
Ranks better than about 57% 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)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$17,434 · 47th 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 55.7% of patients or more. Most hospices score above 90 percent.
- Pain screening98%
- Pain assessment94.9%
- Breathing difficulty screening98.1%
- Breathing difficulty treatment97.7%
- Treatment preferences discussed99.9%
- Beliefs and values discussed97.8%
- Bowel care for patients on opioids99.6%
- Visits in the last days of life55.7%
- All care steps completed92.1%
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%
- Dementia32%
- Heart and circulatory disease14%
- Lung and respiratory disease8%
- Stroke7%
- Other conditions12%
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, reporting period January 2023 through December 2024. Percentiles are computed by CMS across all reporting hospices.
Support at Home
Sharp HospiceCare serves the San Diego, California area from their office on Ruffin Road. They provide specialized medical and emotional support for families facing a life-limiting illness. Choosing the right team makes a real difference during this time. They focus on keeping patients comfortable in their own homes. This helps families spend more quality time together. The goal is always to improve the patient's daily experience. It is about dignity and care when it matters most.
About SHARP HOSPICECARE
Sharp HospiceCare is a for-profit hospice provider that has been Medicare certified since December 1992. That is over thirty years of experience in the community. Being in the system for three decades means they have deep roots in San Diego. They operate under a for-profit model, which is common in modern hospice care. What families should know is that all Medicare-certified providers must meet federal standards. This ensures they offer core services like nursing, social work, and chaplain support. Sharp holds a strong reputation for their clinical processes. The team works hard to manage symptoms so the patient can focus on what they enjoy. Their long history shows a commitment to local families. It is a big deal to have that kind of stability nearby.
Quality Insights
Understanding Hospice Care in SAN DIEGO
San Diego has many hospice options for people who need end-of-life care. The thing is, all these providers get paid by Medicare to offer the same basic level of support. This includes medicine for pain, medical equipment, and help with personal care. But the way they deliver that care changes from one company to the next. Some focus on large teams, while others keep a smaller, more personal staff. You might also find differences in how quickly they can get a nurse to your door. Most people don't realize that you have the right to choose the provider that fits your specific needs. It is your choice to make. You should feel empowered to interview a few teams before you decide. Getting the right fit helps everyone feel more at peace.
What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider
You should feel comfortable asking hard questions during your first meeting. Here are a few things to keep in mind. First, ask how many nurses they have on call during the night and on weekends. You need to know that someone will answer the phone if a crisis happens at 2 a.m. Second, ask how they help the family manage stress and grief. Hospice is for the whole family, not just the patient. Third, ask how they handle pain and symptom control. You want to know their plan for keeping the patient comfortable at all times. And finally, ask what happens if the patient needs to go to a hospital. Every provider has a different process for emergencies. Getting clear answers now will save you from worry later. Do not be afraid to speak up.
Keep Your Family Stories Alive
During this time, the voices and stories of your loved ones matter more than ever. Capture those memories now to create a lasting gift for your future generations.
Preserve Your MemoriesOther Hospice Providers Nearby
SILVERADO HOSPICE SAN DIEGO
HOSPICE OF THE SOUTH COAST LLC
MISSION HOSPICE SERVICES OF SAN DIEGO LLC
BRISTOL HOSPICE - SAN DIEGO
INTERIM HEALTHCARE SAN DIEGO HOSPICE
ART OF HOSPICE CARE, INC
Helpful Guides for Families
Starting Difficult Conversations: A Guide for Families
Struggling with end-of-life talks? Learn the best ways for starting difficult conversations with your aging parents to ensure their wishes are honored today.
Choosing a Hospice Provider: A 5-Step Quality Guide
Feeling overwhelmed? Use our expert 5-step guide to choosing a hospice provider that offers the compassionate, high-quality care your loved one deserves.
Understanding Medicare Hospice Benefit: A Family Guide
Confused by hospice coverage? Our guide to understanding Medicare hospice benefits helps you navigate care options and costs with confidence and clarity.
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.