PRUITTHEALTH HOSPICE-ATHENS
Provider Information
- Address
- 1751 MERIWEATHER DRIVE, SUITE 1A
WATKINSVILLE, GA 30677 - Ownership Type
- For-Profit
- Medicare Certified Since
- April 4, 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 August 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) | 11 |
| Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN) | 1 |
| Physicians | 2 |
27
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 PRUITTHEALTH HOSPICE-ATHENS 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 PRUITTHEALTH HOSPICE-ATHENS compares to hospices nationwide.
10.2 minutes
of nurse care per routine home care day, on average
That is the 27th percentile among hospices nationally. The national median is about 12 minutes.
54
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 day10.2 min
Ranks better than about 27% 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 weekends7.2%
Ranks better than about 41% 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 life92.4%
Ranks better than about 42% 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 visits57.1%
Ranks better than about 44% 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 care14.9%
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 months29.8%
Ranks better than about 70% 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 care14.9%
Ranks better than about 17% 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 hospice2.1%
Ranks better than about 36% 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$15,571 · 37th 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 71.9% of patients or more. Most hospices score above 90 percent.
- Pain screening98.2%
- 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 life71.9%
- All care steps completed98.2%
Conditions of patients in their care
Share of patients by primary diagnosis. Useful if you want a team with experience in a specific condition.
- Cancer15%
- Dementia15%
- Heart and circulatory disease20%
- Lung and respiratory disease11%
- Stroke11%
- Other conditions32%
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Percentiles are computed by CMS across all reporting hospices.
About PRUITTHEALTH HOSPICE-ATHENS
PRUITTHEALTH HOSPICE-ATHENS serves families in the Watkinsville area of Georgia. This facility offers specialized end-of-life care for patients and their loved ones. They have been certified by Medicare since April 2007. Their team provides support in a home or facility setting to help manage symptoms and comfort. Getting the right care at the right time matters for everyone involved.
Understanding This Provider
This hospice is a for-profit organization. It has operated under Medicare certification for over 17 years. Medicare certification means the provider follows federal safety and health rules. This is a baseline for quality in the hospice field. Families should look at how a provider meets these standards over time. Being a freestanding hospice allows this location to focus on its specific hospice mission. That is a clear advantage. The team includes 11 registered nurses and one licensed practical nurse. They also have two physicians on staff to guide medical decisions. These numbers show a team ready to handle patient needs. You should feel free to ask how these staff members work together to provide care each day.
Quality Performance
What Is Hospice Care Like in WATKINSVILLE?
Hospice care in Oconee County focuses on comfort rather than a cure. The goal is to improve the quality of life for the patient. A team of 27 employees works here to support that mission. This includes skilled nurses and doctors who visit patients where they live. Having a local team helps because they know the area well. Most care happens at home but can also happen in a nursing facility if needed. The staff manages pain and physical symptoms. They also provide emotional support for the family during a hard time. You get a team that knows how to handle medical needs while keeping the patient comfortable. It is about dignity and peace for the person receiving care.
What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider
- How quickly can a nurse get to my home if an emergency happens?
- How do your doctors and nurses work with my current primary doctor?
- What specific services do you offer to help family members cope with grief?
- How often will a nurse visit my home to check on the patient?
Ask these questions to get a clear picture of the care provided. You deserve to know how the team will help your family. Do not be afraid to ask for details about their daily routine. Clarity helps you make the best choice for your loved one.
Preserve Family Stories
Your family history is a treasure. We provide simple tools to help you record and save stories for future generations.
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Helpful Guides for Families
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Some stories are worth writing down
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