EMPATH TIDEWELL HOSPICE
Provider Information
- Address
- 5955 RAND BOULEVARD
SARASOTA, FL 34238 - Ownership Type
- Other
- Medicare Certified Since
- October 17, 1985
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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) | 209 |
| Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN) | 58 |
| Physicians | 15 |
| Volunteers | 33 |
689
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 EMPATH TIDEWELL 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 2017.
Care Details from Medicare Data
Medicare computes these numbers from claims and required reporting. They show how EMPATH TIDEWELL HOSPICE compares to hospices nationwide.
16.6 minutes
of nurse care per routine home care day, on average
That is the 85th percentile among hospices nationally. The national median is about 12 minutes.
1163
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 day16.6 min
Ranks better than about 85% 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 weekends11.4%
Ranks better than about 78% 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 life93.8%
Ranks better than about 52% 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 visits74.5%
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 care11.9%
Ranks better than about 17% 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 months24.1%
Ranks better than about 81% 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 care1.1%
Ranks better than about 80% 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 hospice0.1%
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)98th 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$9,884 · 10th 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 61.8% of patients or more. Most hospices score above 90 percent.
- Pain screening99.1%
- Pain assessment96.6%
- Breathing difficulty screening99.5%
- Breathing difficulty treatment99.4%
- Treatment preferences discussed99.9%
- Beliefs and values discussed98.7%
- Bowel care for patients on opioids99.5%
- Visits in the last days of life61.8%
- All care steps completed95.7%
Conditions of patients in their care
Share of patients by primary diagnosis. Useful if you want a team with experience in a specific condition.
- Cancer25%
- Dementia8%
- Heart and circulatory disease13%
- Lung and respiratory disease12%
- Stroke18%
- Other conditions25%
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, reporting period January 2023 through December 2024. Percentiles are computed by CMS across all reporting hospices.
About Empath Tidewell Hospice
Empath Tidewell Hospice provides care for families in Sarasota, Florida. They operate as a freestanding hospice provider and offer support from their office on Rand Boulevard. This organization holds accreditation from the Accreditation Commission for Health Care. That status shows they meet specific standards for patient care and safety. It helps families know the agency follows set rules for clinical excellence.
About Empath Tidewell Hospice
This provider has been certified by Medicare since 1985. Their long history shows they have served the area for many years. The agency operates under an other ownership model rather than being part of a hospital system. The Accreditation Commission for Health Care reviews their processes to ensure they match high industry benchmarks. Accreditation acts as a sign of quality. It proves the agency works hard to meet strict health standards. Families should look for this mark when they compare different hospice options. It adds a layer of oversight to the care your loved one receives at home or in a facility.
Quality Overview
What Is Hospice Care Like in Sarasota?
Hospice care in Sarasota focuses on comfort and symptom relief. Teams work together to help patients stay at home whenever possible. This agency employs 689 people to support their mission. Their staff includes 209 registered nurses and 58 licensed practical nurses. They also have 15 physicians on the team. These professionals coordinate with 33 volunteers to provide care. Having a large team allows for frequent visits and better coverage for urgent needs. The goal is to keep the patient calm and pain-free. Nurses and doctors visit regularly to adjust medications or care plans. This helps the family feel supported during a difficult time. That is the main purpose of hospice services in this region.
What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider
Choosing the right hospice agency feels like a big step. You should ask questions to ensure the care fits your family member. First, ask how quickly a nurse can arrive if a problem happens at night. Second, check how the agency handles pain management and symptom control. Ask them which local hospitals they work with if a patient needs a higher level of care. Finally, ask what role volunteers play in the daily support of the patient. These answers help you see if their values match your needs. Take your time to get clear answers. You deserve to feel confident in the team you select for your loved one.
Keep Family Memories Alive
Your family has a unique story that deserves to be remembered for years to come. Start preserving those meaningful memories today.
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Helpful Guides for Families
Understanding Medicare Hospice Benefits: A Family Guide
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How to Spot a Trustworthy Hospice in 2026
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How to Choose a Hospice Provider: A Family’s Complete Guide
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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.