GOOD SHEPHERD HOSPICE
Provider Information
- Address
- 3470 LAKELAND HILLS BLVD
LAKELAND, FL 33805 - Ownership Type
- Non-Profit
- Medicare Certified Since
- March 21, 2008
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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) | 138 |
| Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN) | 48 |
| Physicians | 8 |
| Volunteers | 197 |
357
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 GOOD SHEPHERD HOSPICE reported, not a check of what it offers today. Confirm current arrangements with the hospice.
- Short-term inpatient care
- Provided directly by this hospice
- Type of inpatient care
- Both general inpatient care and respite care
- 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.
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 GOOD SHEPHERD HOSPICE compares to hospices nationwide.
13.5 minutes
of nurse care per routine home care day, on average
That is the 63rd percentile among hospices nationally. The national median is about 12 minutes.
444
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 day13.5 min
Ranks better than about 63% 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 weekends9.2%
Ranks better than about 63% 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 life97.4%
Ranks better than about 82% 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 visits68.9%
Ranks better than about 27% 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 care12.8%
Ranks better than about 14% 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 months31%
Ranks better than about 66% 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 care4%
Ranks better than about 67% 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 hospice1.4%
Ranks better than about 45% 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)99th 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$11,069 · 15th 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 61.9% of patients or more. Most hospices score above 90 percent.
- Pain screening99.9%
- 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 life61.9%
- All care steps completed99.9%
Conditions of patients in their care
Share of patients by primary diagnosis. Useful if you want a team with experience in a specific condition.
- Cancer27%
- Dementia16%
- Heart and circulatory disease21%
- Lung and respiratory disease14%
- Stroke7%
- Other conditions16%
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, reporting period January 2023 through December 2024. Percentiles are computed by CMS across all reporting hospices.
Good Shepherd Hospice in Lakeland
Good Shepherd Hospice serves families throughout Lakeland and the surrounding Polk County area. They offer specialized end-of-life care for patients who need comfort and support. This provider holds a accreditation from the Joint Commission, which shows they meet high standards for safety and performance. They have been certified by Medicare since 2008. Their team helps families find peace during a difficult time. They provide these services as a freestanding hospice provider. This means they focus entirely on hospice care rather than operating as a wing of a hospital. You can reach their Lakeland office on Lakeland Hills Boulevard to learn more about their current capacity and specific service areas.
About Good Shepherd Hospice
Good Shepherd Hospice operates as a non-profit organization. This structure often means they reinvest any extra funds back into their care programs and community services. They maintain a large team of 357 employees to support their patients. This staff includes 138 registered nurses and 48 licensed practical nurses. They also work with 8 physicians and 197 volunteers who give their time to help patients. The Joint Commission accreditation is a badge of quality. It means an outside group checked their safety and care quality. Most people do not realize how much work goes into keeping this status. They must follow strict rules every single day. This oversight matters because it ensures that the care teams follow proven methods for pain control and family support. Choosing a provider with this level of scrutiny can give you peace of mind during your search.
Quality Performance
What Is Hospice Care Like in Lakeland?
Hospice care in Lakeland focuses on comfort rather than a cure. It brings medical equipment and expert staff directly to the place where a patient lives. This could be a private home, an assisted living facility, or a nursing home. The team manages pain and symptoms so the patient stays as comfortable as possible. They also offer emotional support to the entire family. You will have a primary nurse who visits regularly to check on the patient. They also provide social workers to help with planning and volunteers to offer companionship. The goal is to keep the patient in a familiar setting for as long as possible. Many families find that having this extra help makes a big difference in the final months. It allows everyone to focus on spending quality time together instead of worrying about medical logistics.
What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider
You should feel confident before choosing a provider for your loved one. Start by asking how quickly a nurse can arrive if a sudden problem happens at night or on the weekend. Ask them how they handle pain management and what doctors are on their team. You should also ask about their volunteer program and how they support grieving family members after a loss. Another good question is how they coordinate care with the primary doctor. Ask if they have experience with the specific condition your loved one has. It is fine to ask for a meeting with a manager to get your questions answered. Do not be afraid to ask for details. You deserve clear answers about how they will care for your family. A good provider will be happy to explain their process to you.
Preserve Your Family Stories
Capture the life stories and memories of your loved ones to keep their legacy alive for future generations to cherish.
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