GAFFEY HOME NURSING & HOSPICE, INC
Provider Information
- Address
- 3408 EAST 23RD STREET
STERLING, IL 61081 - Ownership Type
- For-Profit
- Medicare Certified Since
- September 15, 2011
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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) | 5 |
| Physicians | 1 |
| Volunteers | 1 |
12
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 GAFFEY HOME NURSING & HOSPICE, INC 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 2011.
Care Details from Medicare Data
Medicare computes these numbers from claims and required reporting. They show how GAFFEY HOME NURSING & HOSPICE, INC compares to hospices nationwide.
12.2 minutes
of nurse care per routine home care day, on average
That is the 50th percentile among hospices nationally. The national median is about 12 minutes.
3
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 day12.2 min
Ranks better than about 50% 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 weekends13.7%
Ranks better than about 85% 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 life98.7%
Ranks better than about 90% 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 visits45.5%
Ranks better than about 60% 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 care11.1%
Ranks better than about 20% 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 months33.3%
Ranks better than about 58% 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 care11.1%
Ranks better than about 30% 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$5,090 · 1st 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 57.1% of patients or more. Most hospices score above 90 percent.
- Pain screening100%
- Pain assessment96.2%
- Breathing difficulty screening95.7%
- Breathing difficulty treatment69.6%
- Treatment preferences discussed100%
- Beliefs and values discussed95.7%
- Bowel care for patients on opioids57.1%
- Visits in the last days of life80.7%
- All care steps completed57.5%
Conditions of patients in their care
Share of patients by primary diagnosis. Useful if you want a team with experience in a specific condition.
- Cancer43%
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Percentiles are computed by CMS across all reporting hospices.
About Gaffey Home Nursing & Hospice
Gaffey Home Nursing & Hospice is a freestanding hospice provider based in Sterling, Illinois. They serve families across Whiteside County. This agency has been certified by Medicare since September 2011 to provide end-of-life care. They also hold accreditation from the Accreditation Commission for Health Care. This third-party group checks that the agency follows high safety and quality standards every single day. Families in the area can look to this provider for support during a difficult time. Their team works to keep patients comfortable in their own homes. Choosing a local team often makes coordination much easier for everyone involved. It is a simple way to bring professional care directly to your living room.
About GAFFEY HOME NURSING & HOSPICE, INC
This agency operates as a for-profit organization. It has maintained its Medicare certification for over a decade. The Accreditation Commission for Health Care evaluates their clinical practices and administrative systems. They look for proof that the agency meets strict national rules. When a group earns this stamp of approval, it means they have passed a deep review of their daily work. You should know that this agency employs a team of 12 people. This group includes five registered nurses who manage the medical side of care. They also have one physician and one volunteer on staff. These numbers show a focused team dedicated to specific patient needs. Small teams can sometimes offer more personal attention to each family. That is often what matters most when you need help the most.
High Quality Standards
What Is Hospice Care Like in STERLING?
Hospice care in Sterling focuses on comfort and dignity for the patient. You can expect a team to visit your home regularly. They manage pain and provide emotional support for the whole family. Because this agency is freestanding, they focus entirely on hospice services. Their staff includes five registered nurses who handle the medical tasks. One doctor oversees the care plan to ensure it meets your specific goals. A volunteer is also part of the team to provide extra companionship. This setup allows for a very close relationship between the staff and your loved ones. Most people find that having a dedicated team nearby makes the daily routine much smoother. It provides a sense of calm during a busy time. You can ask them how they handle weekend or after-hours needs.
What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider
Finding the right fit takes time. You should feel comfortable asking direct questions to any agency you talk to. Start by asking how they handle medical emergencies during the night. You want to know exactly who will answer the phone when you need help at 2:00 AM. Ask how often the nurse will visit the home. It helps to know the expected schedule for care. Ask what specific tasks the volunteer can perform for your family. Some volunteers help with errands while others provide simple conversation. Find out how they include the family in the care planning process. You are the expert on your loved one. A good team will always listen to your input. Be sure to ask about their experience with your specific health needs.
Preserve Family Stories
Your family history is a gift that should be kept safe for future generations to enjoy.
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