BONNER COMMUNITY HOSPICE
Provider Information
- Address
- 520 NORTH THIRD AVENUE
SANDPOINT, ID 83864 - Ownership Type
- Non-Profit
- Medicare Certified Since
- July 22, 1992
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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) | 4 |
| Physicians | 1 |
| Volunteers | 16 |
11
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 BONNER COMMUNITY 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
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.
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 2022.
Care Details from Medicare Data
Medicare computes these numbers from claims and required reporting. They show how BONNER COMMUNITY HOSPICE compares to hospices nationwide.
13.7 minutes
of nurse care per routine home care day, on average
That is the 65th percentile among hospices nationally. The national median is about 12 minutes.
17
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 day13.7 min
Ranks better than about 65% 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 weekends14.4%
Ranks better than about 87% 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 life82.6%
Ranks better than about 17% 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 visits65.7%
Ranks better than about 32% 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 care25%
Ranks better than about 1% 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 months30%
Ranks better than about 69% 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 care5%
Ranks better than about 61% 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 hospice5%
Ranks better than about 11% 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$8,725 · 7th 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 26.2% of patients or more. Most hospices score above 90 percent.
- Pain screening93.5%
- Pain assessment40.6%
- Breathing difficulty screening100%
- Breathing difficulty treatment100%
- Treatment preferences discussed100%
- Beliefs and values discussed96.7%
- Bowel care for patients on opioids100%
- Visits in the last days of life26.2%
- All care steps completed61%
Conditions of patients in their care
Share of patients by primary diagnosis. Useful if you want a team with experience in a specific condition.
- Cancer36%
- Dementia16%
- Heart and circulatory disease10%
- Lung and respiratory disease11%
- Other conditions27%
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, reporting period January 2023 through December 2024. Percentiles are computed by CMS across all reporting hospices.
Bonner Community Hospice in Sandpoint
Bonner Community Hospice serves families throughout Sandpoint and the surrounding Bonner County area. This non-profit provider operates as a hospital-based program to deliver end-of-life care. They have held Medicare certification since 1992, showing a long history of service to the Idaho community. Choosing the right hospice is a major step. Families deserve to know the facts about the care teams available in their local area.
About BONNER COMMUNITY HOSPICE
This provider functions as a non-profit organization. Being non-profit often means the agency focuses its resources directly on patient care rather than profits for outside owners. They maintain a team of 11 total employees to support their patients. This staff includes four registered nurses who oversee medical needs. They also have one physician on the team. Perhaps most unique is their group of 16 volunteers who offer extra support to families. Medicare certification ensures the agency meets federal rules for safety and care quality. These rules act as a baseline for the services you can expect. Having provided care for over three decades is a significant milestone for any healthcare provider. It shows a deep connection to the people of Bonner County. Families should feel confident knowing the agency follows these established standards for hospice operations every single day.
Quality Performance
What Is Hospice Care Like in SANDPOINT?
Hospice care in Sandpoint offers a way for families to find comfort at home during a difficult time. The care team focuses on managing pain and supporting emotional needs. You will find that hospice is not just about medicine. It is about living well for as long as possible. The team at this local provider includes nurses and a physician who visit patients where they live. They work together to create a plan that fits the specific goals of the family. The volunteers provide a helping hand when things get busy. Having a local team means they understand the area and can respond to needs quickly. It is a group effort to ensure comfort is always the priority. You can expect regular check-ins to see how the patient is doing. They aim to keep the patient safe and comfortable in their own home setting.
What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider
Asking the right questions helps you feel more prepared. Start by asking how often a nurse will visit the home each week. You should also ask how the team handles pain management after normal business hours. It is good to know who you call if an emergency happens in the middle of the night. Ask about the role of volunteers and how they help families. Ask if the agency provides equipment like hospital beds or oxygen supplies. Find out how they coordinate care with the patient's primary doctor. These answers will help you understand if the agency is a good match for your specific situation. Take your time with these questions. You want to feel at ease with the people who will enter your home. Clear communication is the best way to start this relationship on the right foot.
Preserve Your Family Stories
Capture the memories and life lessons of your loved ones to keep their legacy alive for future generations to cherish.
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