PINNACLE HOSPICE
Provider Information
- Address
- 5627 S SHERWOOD FOREST BLVD, STE C
BATON ROUGE, LA 70816 - Ownership Type
- Other
- Medicare Certified Since
- April 8, 2008
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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) | 15 |
| Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN) | 5 |
| Volunteers | 0 |
38
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 PINNACLE 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 PINNACLE HOSPICE compares to hospices nationwide.
14.9 minutes
of nurse care per routine home care day, on average
That is the 75th percentile among hospices nationally. The national median is about 12 minutes.
122
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 day14.9 min
Ranks better than about 75% 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 weekends6.3%
Ranks better than about 30% 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 life98.8%
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 visits27.3%
Ranks better than about 82% 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 care11.8%
Ranks better than about 18% 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 months26.5%
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 care18.6%
Ranks better than about 9% 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 hospice2.9%
Ranks better than about 26% 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)91st 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$15,143 · 34th 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 45.2% of patients or more. Most hospices score above 90 percent.
- Pain screening100%
- Pain assessment100%
- Breathing difficulty screening100%
- Breathing difficulty treatment99%
- Treatment preferences discussed100%
- Beliefs and values discussed99.4%
- Bowel care for patients on opioids100%
- Visits in the last days of life45.2%
- All care steps completed98.8%
Conditions of patients in their care
Share of patients by primary diagnosis. Useful if you want a team with experience in a specific condition.
- Cancer23%
- Dementia23%
- Heart and circulatory disease19%
- Lung and respiratory disease9%
- Stroke11%
- Other conditions16%
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, reporting period January 2023 through December 2024. Percentiles are computed by CMS across all reporting hospices.
About Pinnacle Hospice
Pinnacle Hospice serves the Baton Rouge community from their office on South Sherwood Forest Boulevard. This freestanding hospice provider offers care to patients throughout East Baton Rouge county. They have been certified by Medicare since early 2008. The team focuses on providing medical and emotional support during end-of-life care. Choosing a local provider allows for faster response times for families in the area. It is a practical choice for those living in or near the 70816 zip code. Their long history of Medicare certification shows a steady commitment to meeting federal safety and quality standards over many years. This gives families a clear baseline of what to expect from their services. They aim to support patient comfort and family peace of mind through every stage of their care program. Having a local presence in Louisiana helps the team stay connected to the needs of the Baton Rouge community members they serve every day.
Understanding Pinnacle Hospice
Pinnacle Hospice operates as a freestanding provider under an other ownership structure. Medicare certification is a standard that ensures the hospice meets strict federal rules for patient care and safety. This certification has been active since April 2008. When you evaluate a provider, look at their history of service. A long track record often reflects a stable organization that knows how to manage patient needs. You should know that this provider operates with a team of 15 registered nurses and 5 licensed practical nurses. This staffing mix is designed to provide direct medical oversight. The team works together to manage pain and symptoms for their patients. While they do not list volunteers in their current staff count, their clinical team remains the core of their service model. Families should feel free to ask about how this specific staffing structure helps meet the needs of their loved ones during difficult times.
Quality of Care
What Is Hospice Care Like in BATON ROUGE?
Hospice care in Baton Rouge focuses on comfort rather than a cure. It brings the medical team to where the patient lives. This could be a private home or a care facility. The goal is to manage pain and improve the quality of each day. You will find that hospice teams consist of doctors, nurses, social workers, and aides. In this local area, providers like Pinnacle Hospice use their nursing staff to check on patients regularly. They adjust medications and provide support to the whole family. It is a team effort. The nurses and aides work to ensure that patients stay comfortable in their own beds. They also teach family members how to help with daily tasks. This kind of care allows people to spend their final months in a familiar place. It keeps the focus on what matters most to the patient and their family during this time.
What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider
Finding the right hospice team is a big decision. You should ask questions that help you understand how they work. First, ask how quickly a nurse can get to the house if a problem happens at night. You need to know that support is available 24 hours a day. Second, ask how they manage pain and symptoms. It is vital to know their plan for keeping your loved one comfortable. Third, ask how they support the family members who are acting as caregivers. Do they offer meetings with a social worker or chaplain? Finally, ask how they handle changes in the patient condition. You want a team that adjusts the care plan as needs change. Getting clear answers to these questions will help you feel more confident in your choice. Take your time to talk with the staff and listen to how they explain their process to you.
Preserve Your Family Stories
Your family history is a treasure. We can help you save memories and stories to share with future generations during this important time.
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