HOSPICE OF SOUTHERN KENTUCKY
Provider Information
- Address
- 5872 SCOTTSVILLE ROAD
BOWLING GREEN, KY 42104 - Ownership Type
- Non-Profit
- Medicare Certified Since
- March 23, 1988
Are you this hospice's administrator? Update your information
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) | 28 |
| Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN) | 7 |
| Physicians | 5 |
| Volunteers | 45 |
78
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 HOSPICE OF SOUTHERN KENTUCKY reported, not a check of what it offers today. Confirm current arrangements with the hospice.
- Short-term inpatient care
- Both provided directly and arranged with other facilities
- 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 2019.
Care Details from Medicare Data
Medicare computes these numbers from claims and required reporting. They show how HOSPICE OF SOUTHERN KENTUCKY compares to hospices nationwide.
12.4 minutes
of nurse care per routine home care day, on average
That is the 52nd percentile among hospices nationally. The national median is about 12 minutes.
89
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 day12.4 min
Ranks better than about 52% 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 weekends6.2%
Ranks better than about 29% 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 life96.4%
Ranks better than about 74% 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 visits52.1%
Ranks better than about 51% 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 care21.1%
Ranks better than about 3% 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 months26.3%
Ranks better than about 77% 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 care6.6%
Ranks better than about 53% 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 hospice1.3%
Ranks better than about 47% 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)99th 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$8,344 · 6th 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 57.8% of patients or more. Most hospices score above 90 percent.
- Pain screening99.8%
- Pain assessment99.7%
- Breathing difficulty screening100%
- Breathing difficulty treatment99.6%
- Treatment preferences discussed100%
- Beliefs and values discussed100%
- Bowel care for patients on opioids100%
- Visits in the last days of life57.8%
- All care steps completed99.3%
Conditions of patients in their care
Share of patients by primary diagnosis. Useful if you want a team with experience in a specific condition.
- Cancer28%
- Dementia9%
- Heart and circulatory disease22%
- Lung and respiratory disease12%
- Stroke16%
- Other conditions13%
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Percentiles are computed by CMS across all reporting hospices.
Hospice of Southern Kentucky
Hospice of Southern Kentucky serves the Bowling Green area from their location on Scottsville Road. This non-profit provider focuses on end-of-life care for families in Warren County. They have been a Medicare-certified provider since 1988. Their team offers support for patients who need comfort and specialized medical attention at home or in other settings. Choosing a local provider helps keep care close to home. That is a benefit for many families in Kentucky.
About Hospice of Southern Kentucky
As a non-profit organization, this hospice operates with a focus on community needs rather than profit margins. They started their service in 1988, which shows they have deep experience in the field. Non-profit status often means that any extra funds go back into patient care programs. Their team includes 78 total employees. This staff count includes 28 registered nurses and 7 licensed practical nurses. Five physicians work with the team to direct care plans. They also rely on 45 volunteers to provide extra comfort and companionship to patients. Having many volunteers shows a strong connection to the local community. These volunteers often spend time reading or talking with patients. It adds a personal touch to the medical care provided each day.
Quality and Satisfaction Ratings
What Is Hospice Care Like in Bowling Green?
Hospice care in Bowling Green brings medical experts to your door. The goal is to manage pain and improve the quality of each day for the patient. You get a team of nurses, doctors, and volunteers working together. This group creates a plan that meets specific patient needs. They visit the home regularly to check on symptoms and offer support to the whole family. Many families find that having a professional team at home makes a difference. It allows patients to stay in their own surroundings. The staff handles the heavy medical lifting so families can focus on spending time together. You do not have to manage these complex medical needs alone. The support system is designed to provide comfort throughout the entire process.
What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider
Start by asking how quickly a nurse can reach your home during an emergency. This is a simple but important question. Ask how the team handles pain management after normal business hours. You should also ask how often the volunteers visit. Knowing the frequency of these visits helps you plan your schedule. Ask about the specific experience of the nurses who will be on your case. Does the provider offer grief support after the patient passes away? This service is standard for most, but it helps to confirm. Finally, ask what specific tasks the volunteers can perform. Some help with chores while others provide companionship. Make sure the answers match what your family needs most right now.
Preserve Your Family Stories
Your family history is a gift. Capture memories and life lessons now to keep them safe for future generations to cherish forever.
Start Preserving MemoriesOther Hospice Providers Nearby
HOSPICE OF THE BLUEGRASS, INC.
ST ANTHONY'S HOSPICE INC
APPALACHIAN HOSPICE CARE
HOSPICE OF HOPE INC
HOSPICE EAST
MURRAY CALLOWAY COUNTY HOSPITAL HOSPICE
Helpful Guides for Families
What Nearly 17,000 Hospice Inspection Reports Reveal
CMS released 16,894 hospice inspection reports from late 2021 to early 2026. See what surveyors cited most, what serious findings mean, and how to use them.
Hospice at Home vs. Inpatient: Choosing the Right Care
Deciding between hospice at home and inpatient hospice? Discover the pros and cons of each care setting to help you make the right choice for your loved one.
What Does Medicare Cover for Hospice Care?
Confused about medicare hospice coverage? Discover exactly what is covered, how to manage costs, and navigate your benefits with our simple, expert guide.
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.