SARAH BUSH LINCOLN HOSPICE
Provider Information
- Address
- 700 W LINCOLN AVE, STE 100
CHARLESTON, IL 61920 - Ownership Type
- Non-Profit
- Medicare Certified Since
- August 10, 1999
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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) | 8 |
| Physicians | 0 |
| Volunteers | 19 |
19
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 SARAH BUSH LINCOLN HOSPICE reported, not a check of what it offers today. Confirm current arrangements with the hospice.
- Short-term inpatient care
- Provided directly by this hospice
- Type of inpatient care
- Both general inpatient care and respite care
- Medical supplies and equipment
- Supplied directly by this hospice
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.
Reported by this hospice to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services when it was certified in 1999.
Care Details from Medicare Data
Medicare computes these numbers from claims and required reporting. They show how SARAH BUSH LINCOLN HOSPICE compares to hospices nationwide.
22.7 minutes
of nurse care per routine home care day, on average
That is the 97th percentile among hospices nationally. The national median is about 12 minutes.
60
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 day22.7 min
Ranks better than about 97% 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 weekends9.8%
Ranks better than about 68% 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 life94.3%
Ranks better than about 56% 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 visits12.7%
Ranks better than about 94% 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 care10%
Ranks better than about 26% 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 months18.3%
Ranks better than about 90% 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 care11.7%
Ranks better than about 28% 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%
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)67th 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$7,428 · 4th 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 71.2% of patients or more. Most hospices score above 90 percent.
- Pain screening99.8%
- Pain assessment98.1%
- Breathing difficulty screening99.4%
- Breathing difficulty treatment97.4%
- Treatment preferences discussed100%
- Beliefs and values discussed99.8%
- Bowel care for patients on opioids100%
- Visits in the last days of life71.2%
- All care steps completed97%
Conditions of patients in their care
Share of patients by primary diagnosis. Useful if you want a team with experience in a specific condition.
- Cancer32%
- Dementia27%
- Heart and circulatory disease14%
- Lung and respiratory disease12%
- Stroke5%
- Other conditions13%
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, reporting period January 2023 through December 2024. Percentiles are computed by CMS across all reporting hospices.
Supportive Care in Charleston
Sarah Bush Lincoln Hospice provides compassionate end-of-life care for families in Charleston, Illinois. Their team focuses on comfort, dignity, and quality of life for those facing a terminal illness. They serve the Coles County community with dedicated staff who understand the needs of local patients. Whether you are at home or in a care facility, they bring the support you need directly to your bedside. This team works hard to manage pain and symptoms while providing emotional support to the entire family. It is a big comfort knowing such care is available right here in town.
About Sarah Bush Lincoln Hospice
This hospice operates as a non-profit organization. That is a vital detail for families to consider. Non-profits often put all their extra money back into patient care and community programs. They have been Medicare certified since August 10, 1999. That means they have over two decades of experience serving this region. Choosing a long-standing provider can give you peace of mind during a tough transition. You want a team with deep roots in the community. Their history shows a commitment to stable, reliable care. They understand the local health landscape better than most. Reach them at 700 W Lincoln Ave, Ste 100 to discuss your specific needs. Getting the right support early makes a world of difference for everyone involved.
Top-Tier Quality Ratings
Understanding Hospice Care in Charleston
Finding the right care in Coles County can feel overwhelming at first. But you are not alone in this process. Local hospice care is designed to wrap around the patient and their loved ones. It is not just about medical equipment or medicine. It is about having a team that listens to your worries and answers your questions. Many people wait too long to call for help. The truth is that hospice can offer support for months, not just days. That extra time helps build real bonds between the staff and your family. Reach out to local providers early to see how they can improve your daily comfort. You deserve to focus on making memories instead of managing symptoms alone.
What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider
Choosing a partner for end-of-life care is a deeply personal decision. Do not be afraid to ask hard questions. First, ask how quickly they can reach your home if an urgent need comes up at night or on a weekend. Response time matters. Second, ask how they handle pain management and if they have a specific philosophy for keeping patients comfortable. Third, ask how they support the family's emotional needs after a loss. Grief support is a huge part of their job. Finally, ask if their staff is available 24/7. You need to know that someone is always a phone call away. Getting clear answers will help you feel more confident in your final decision.
Keep Your Family Stories Alive
The time you spend together is precious. We can help you record and preserve your loved one's voice, memories, and life lessons for future generations to cherish forever.
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