HEARTLITE HOSPICE
Provider Information
- Address
- 307 W EMERY STREET, SUITE B1
DALTON, GA 30720 - Ownership Type
- For-Profit
- Medicare Certified Since
- May 9, 2007
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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) | 7 |
| Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN) | 1 |
| Physicians | 1 |
| Volunteers | 4 |
14
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 HEARTLITE 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
- Respite care (up to five days at a time, to give family caregivers a break)
- 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 HEARTLITE HOSPICE compares to hospices nationwide.
16.9 minutes
of nurse care per routine home care day, on average
That is the 87th percentile among hospices nationally. The national median is about 12 minutes.
38
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 day16.9 min
Ranks better than about 87% 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 weekends4.6%
Ranks better than about 12% 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 life96.7%
Ranks better than about 76% 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 visits35.7%
Ranks better than about 72% 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 care0%
Ranks better than about 81% 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 months44.4%
Ranks better than about 29% 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 care19%
Ranks better than about 9% 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 hospice4.8%
Ranks better than about 12% 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)52nd 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$20,278 · 62nd 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 82% 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 life82%
- 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.
- Cancer17%
- Dementia15%
- Heart and circulatory disease44%
- Lung and respiratory disease8%
- Other conditions14%
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, reporting period January 2023 through December 2024. Percentiles are computed by CMS across all reporting hospices.
Heartlite Hospice in Dalton
Heartlite Hospice serves families across Dalton, Georgia from their office on West Emery Street. They focus on providing comfort and support for patients facing life-limiting illnesses. Choosing the right care team is a big step. You want a group that truly listens to your needs. This provider has been part of the Whitfield County community for years. They aim to keep patients comfortable in their own homes. That is the heart of what hospice does. It is not just about the end of life. It is about making the time you have count. When you call them, you connect with a local team that knows the area well. They are ready to help you navigate this difficult season with kindness and professional care.
About Heartlite Hospice
Heartlite Hospice is a for-profit organization. They first gained Medicare certification back on May 9, 2007. That longevity says a lot about their stability. Families should know that being Medicare-certified means they meet strict federal standards. They have to follow specific rules for care and safety. This is a good thing for you. It ensures a baseline of quality that every hospice must hit. The thing is, not all providers are the same. Some focus on different types of support. You should always ask about their specific team members. Do they have a chaplain? How often does a nurse visit? These details matter when you are building your care plan. Understanding their history helps you feel more secure in your choice. They have served the region for over 15 years now.
Quality Performance
Understanding Hospice Care in Dalton
Finding the right care in Whitfield County can feel overwhelming. Many families wait until a crisis happens to look for help. But you do not have to wait. Hospice care is a benefit available to anyone with a terminal diagnosis. It is fully covered by Medicare for those who qualify. In Dalton, hospice teams usually travel to where you live. This could be your private home, an assisted living facility, or a nursing home. The goal is simple. They manage pain and symptoms so you can focus on family. It is about peace of mind. Many people think hospice is just for the final days. That is a myth. You can start these services months before that. Getting help early often makes the whole experience much better for everyone involved. Start the conversation soon.
What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider
You need to feel confident in the team you pick. Do not be afraid to ask hard questions. Start by asking how they handle after-hours emergencies. Will a nurse come to the house at 3 a.m. if you need them? That is a vital question. Next, ask about their specific experience with your loved one's condition. Every illness is different. You want a team that knows how to treat your specific needs. Also, ask how they support the family members. Caregiving is exhausting work. Does the hospice offer volunteers or respite care? You need to know that you are not alone in this. Finally, ask what their plan is if things change quickly. A good provider will have a clear, calm answer for every single one of these points.
Keep Your Family Stories Alive
Your loved one has a lifetime of stories that deserve to be heard and kept safe for future generations. Start documenting those precious memories today.
Preserve Family StoriesOther Hospice Providers Nearby
HAMILTON MEDICAL CENTER- HOSPICE
AMEDISYS HOSPICE OF DALTON
NORTH GEORGIA COMMUNITY HOSPICE
SACRED JOURNEY HOSPICE, DALTON
ETERNAL FAITH HOSPICE AND PALLIATIVE CARE
OGEECHEE AREA HOSPICE, INC.
Helpful Guides for Families
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What Does Medicare Cover for Hospice Care?
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What CMS Star Ratings Actually Mean for Your Family
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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.