CARDINAL HOSPICE
Provider Information
- Address
- 8280 YMCA PLAZA DRIVE , BLDG 3 STE A
BATON ROUGE, LA 70810 - Ownership Type
- For-Profit
- Medicare Certified Since
- October 11, 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) | 4 |
| Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN) | 1 |
| Physicians | 7 |
| Volunteers | 4 |
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 CARDINAL 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
- 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 CARDINAL HOSPICE compares to hospices nationwide.
6.8 minutes
of nurse care per routine home care day, on average
That is the 4th percentile among hospices nationally. The national median is about 12 minutes.
33
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 day6.8 min
Ranks better than about 4% 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 weekends4.8%
Ranks better than about 14% 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 life53.9%
Ranks better than about 4% 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 visits88%
Ranks better than about 7% 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 care6.8%
Ranks better than about 47% 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 months38.6%
Ranks better than about 45% 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 care13.6%
Ranks better than about 21% 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 hospice2.3%
Ranks better than about 33% 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$21,249 · 67th 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 8 required care steps for new patients here, completed for 21.1% of patients or more. Most hospices score above 90 percent.
- Pain screening100%
- Pain assessment64.3%
- Breathing difficulty screening100%
- Breathing difficulty treatment98.1%
- Treatment preferences discussed100%
- Beliefs and values discussed100%
- Visits in the last days of life21.1%
- All care steps completed74.6%
Conditions of patients in their care
Share of patients by primary diagnosis. Useful if you want a team with experience in a specific condition.
- Cancer13%
- Dementia34%
- Heart and circulatory disease14%
- Stroke11%
- Other conditions28%
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Percentiles are computed by CMS across all reporting hospices.
Cardinal Hospice Overview
Cardinal Hospice provides end-of-life care services in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. This provider operates as a freestanding hospice located on YMCA Plaza Drive. They have served the community since October 2007. The team focuses on comfort and support for patients during their final months. Many families look for local options that offer consistent care. This provider remains a visible part of the East Baton Rouge healthcare community. Their team includes four registered nurses and seven physicians. They also include four volunteers who assist in patient care. Choosing the right support makes a difference. You should review all available options in your area to see if this team fits your specific needs.
About Cardinal Hospice
Cardinal Hospice operates as a for-profit entity. They earned Medicare certification in 2007. This certification means they follow federal rules for patient safety and care quality. Being a for-profit provider, they manage their own operations while meeting government standards. The staff includes twenty-seven total employees. This group works to provide medical and emotional support. Families should know that Medicare reviews these providers often. These reviews check if the hospice meets high standards for pain management and patient visits. You can ask for their most recent survey results during your first meeting. That helps you see how they handle care standards. It is a simple step that provides clarity for your family. Understanding the ownership structure helps you know how the organization functions. This provider keeps a steady team to help patients in their own homes or care facilities.
Quality Performance
What Is Hospice Care Like in BATON ROUGE?
Hospice care in Baton Rouge focuses on comfort rather than a cure. It brings medical experts to your door. The team typically includes doctors, nurses, and volunteers. At Cardinal Hospice, the staff features seven physicians and four registered nurses. They also employ one licensed practical nurse to help with daily care needs. This mix of professionals ensures that patients receive regular visits. They manage pain and symptoms so families can focus on spending time together. Support also extends to family members who need guidance. Most hospice care happens in the home, but some occurs in nursing homes. The goal is to keep the patient in a familiar place. Having a local team means they can reach your home quickly when issues arise. That provides peace of mind for everyone involved. You should always ask about how they handle emergency calls after hours.
What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider
Selecting the right hospice requires asking the right questions. Start by asking how quickly a nurse can arrive if a sudden problem occurs at night. Ask how they coordinate care with your primary doctor. You should also ask about the role of their volunteers in your daily life. It is helpful to ask how they handle medication changes on the weekend. Does the hospice have a specific focus on certain illnesses? Finally, ask for a list of the facilities they currently serve. Getting clear answers helps you feel more confident in your choice. Write these questions down before you call or visit. You deserve to have all the facts before making a decision. Keep your notes organized so you can compare the answers later. Taking time to talk with the staff shows you exactly how they communicate with patients.
Preserve Your Family Stories
Your loved one has a lifetime of memories. Use our tools to save those stories for future generations.
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