DIGNITY HEALTH HOSPICE
Provider Information
- Address
- 124 SOUTH COLLEGE DRIVE, SUITE B
SANTA MARIA, CA 93454 - Ownership Type
- Other
- Medicare Certified Since
- September 10, 1992
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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) | 24 |
| Physicians | 1 |
47
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 DIGNITY HEALTH 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 DIGNITY HEALTH HOSPICE compares to hospices nationwide.
14 minutes
of nurse care per routine home care day, on average
That is the 68th percentile among hospices nationally. The national median is about 12 minutes.
71
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 min
Ranks better than about 68% 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 weekends12.5%
Ranks better than about 82% 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 visits41.1%
Ranks better than about 66% 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 care8.3%
Ranks better than about 37% 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 months42.1%
Ranks better than about 35% 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 care3%
Ranks better than about 72% 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 hospice1.5%
Ranks better than about 44% 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)74th 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$11,540 · 16th 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 47.4% of patients or more. Most hospices score above 90 percent.
- Pain screening100%
- Pain assessment100%
- Breathing difficulty screening100%
- Breathing difficulty treatment100%
- Treatment preferences discussed100%
- Beliefs and values discussed100%
- Bowel care for patients on opioids100%
- Visits in the last days of life47.4%
- All care steps completed100%
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 disease18%
- Lung and respiratory disease8%
- Stroke9%
- Other conditions22%
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, reporting period January 2023 through December 2024. Percentiles are computed by CMS across all reporting hospices.
Dignity Health Hospice in Santa Maria
Dignity Health Hospice provides care for families in Santa Maria, California. They operate as a freestanding hospice agency. This team holds accreditation from the Joint Commission. That group checks how well providers follow safety rules. They have served the community since 1992. It is a long-standing option for those in the Santa Barbara area.
About DIGNITY HEALTH HOSPICE
This provider is organized under an other ownership structure. They earned their Medicare certification in September of 1992. The Joint Commission accreditation means they meet strict national standards for health and safety. The commission sends experts to inspect the site regularly. They look at how the staff keeps patients comfortable and safe. This process shows a clear commitment to high care standards. Families should know that this oversight helps keep quality consistent. The team includes 47 employees to help support your goals. You will find 24 registered nurses and one physician on the team. This staffing mix shows they focus on clinical support. It is a good idea to ask how they assign these staff members to each home. Knowing who leads your care plan is a smart move for any family.
Quality Insights
What Is Hospice Care Like in SANTA MARIA?
Hospice care in this area focuses on comfort. The goal is to manage pain and symptoms at home. Staff members visit your loved one to provide medical support and emotional help. You will find a team of 24 registered nurses and one doctor ready to assist. They work together to make sure the care plan fits your needs. Some families prefer a team that visits often. Others want more quiet time. You can talk to the agency about how they schedule these visits. The team is there to support the patient and the whole family. And they do this by following a plan you help create. It is all about making daily life better. That is the main purpose of their service.
What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider
You have choices for end of life care. Ask these questions to find the right fit for your family. First, ask how quickly a nurse can get to your home in an emergency. This is a common worry for many people. Second, ask how the team helps with after hours support on weekends. Third, ask how they involve the family in the care plan. You want to know if they listen to your specific requests. Finally, ask what the physician does to oversee your loved one's care. Good providers will answer these questions with clear facts. They should be open about their processes. Do not be afraid to ask for more details if you feel confused. You deserve to feel clear about the care your family will get.
Preserve Your Family Stories
Your family history is a gift. Start capturing those special memories and life lessons today to keep them safe for future generations.
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