HAMILTON MEDICAL CENTER- HOSPICE
Provider Information
- Address
- 475 REED RD, SUITE 104
DALTON, GA 30720 - Ownership Type
- Other
- Medicare Certified Since
- November 7, 1983
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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) | 5 |
| Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN) | 4 |
| Physicians | 2 |
| Volunteers | 2 |
20
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 HAMILTON MEDICAL CENTER- 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 2021.
Care Details from Medicare Data
Medicare computes these numbers from claims and required reporting. They show how HAMILTON MEDICAL CENTER- 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.
52
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 weekends8.9%
Ranks better than about 61% 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 life93.6%
Ranks better than about 51% 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 visits16.9%
Ranks better than about 91% 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 care14.6%
Ranks better than about 9% 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 months29.3%
Ranks better than about 71% 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 care2.4%
Ranks better than about 75% 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 hospice2.4%
Ranks better than about 32% 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$13,243 · 24th 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 37.3% of patients or more. Most hospices score above 90 percent.
- Pain screening98.5%
- Pain assessment78.2%
- Breathing difficulty screening98%
- Breathing difficulty treatment100%
- Treatment preferences discussed100%
- Beliefs and values discussed100%
- Bowel care for patients on opioids98.6%
- Visits in the last days of life37.3%
- All care steps completed84.4%
Conditions of patients in their care
Share of patients by primary diagnosis. Useful if you want a team with experience in a specific condition.
- Cancer19%
- Dementia25%
- Heart and circulatory disease28%
- Lung and respiratory disease12%
- Stroke7%
- Other conditions13%
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, reporting period January 2023 through December 2024. Percentiles are computed by CMS across all reporting hospices.
Hamilton Medical Center Hospice
Hamilton Medical Center Hospice provides end of life care for residents in Dalton, Georgia. This provider operates as a freestanding hospice agency in Whitfield County. They have been certified by Medicare since 1983. This long history shows their commitment to the local community over many years. Families in the area can look to this team for support. They focus on providing care to patients when they need it most. Getting the right help matters. Their office is located on Reed Road for easy access.
About Hamilton Medical Center Hospice
This agency is listed under other ownership. They have maintained Medicare certification for over forty years. Certification means they follow federal rules for safety and quality. These standards protect patients and their families. It is a baseline for what you should expect from any hospice provider. You might wonder what this means for your loved one. It means the agency meets strict federal requirements for care delivery. They undergo regular reviews to keep their status active. This oversight helps ensure that basic needs are met in a professional way. When you choose a certified provider, you know they follow a specific set of rules. That is a helpful starting point for your search. You can ask them directly about their recent survey results during your visit. They should share how they keep their quality high for all patients they serve.
Quality Summary
What Is Hospice Care Like in Dalton?
Hospice care in this part of Georgia focuses on comfort. It aims to improve the daily life of patients with serious illness. The team at Hamilton Medical Center Hospice includes twenty employees. This staff count features five registered nurses and four licensed practical nurses. Two doctors lead the medical decisions for the patients. They also have two volunteers who offer extra support. Having nurses and doctors on staff means medical needs get attention. The volunteers can offer a friendly presence for families. Care plans are made to fit the person instead of the disease. That is the main goal of their service. You will find that these professionals work together to manage pain and symptoms. They want to make sure your loved one feels as comfortable as possible at home. Ask them how their specific team members coordinate daily care for your family.
What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider
Selecting the right hospice agency is a big decision. You should feel comfortable with the team you choose. Start by asking how they handle medical emergencies at night or on weekends. It is good to know who will answer your call. Ask how often a nurse will visit your home. You should also ask how they help with emotional and spiritual support. Find out if they have experience with your specific health needs. Ask about their plan for pain management and medication delivery. Can they provide equipment like hospital beds or oxygen? It helps to know what is included in their services. Finally, ask if you can meet the staff who will visit your home regularly. Good communication makes a huge difference. You deserve to have your questions answered clearly and honestly by the provider staff.
Preserve Your Family Stories
This time is perfect for recording the wisdom and memories of your loved ones to keep for future generations.
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