ST JOSEPH HOSPICE AND PALLIATIVE CARE NORTHSHORE,
Provider Information
- Address
- 409 W 21ST AVE
COVINGTON, LA 70433 - Ownership Type
- For-Profit
- Medicare Certified Since
- March 19, 2007
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 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) | 7 |
| Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN) | 2 |
| Physicians | 2 |
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 ST JOSEPH HOSPICE AND PALLIATIVE CARE NORTHSHORE, 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
- 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 2020.
Care Details from Medicare Data
Medicare computes these numbers from claims and required reporting. They show how ST JOSEPH HOSPICE AND PALLIATIVE CARE NORTHSHORE, compares to hospices nationwide.
16.5 minutes
of nurse care per routine home care day, on average
That is the 85th percentile among hospices nationally. The national median is about 12 minutes.
26
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 day16.5 min
Ranks better than about 85% 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 life95.7%
Ranks better than about 67% 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 visits31.1%
Ranks better than about 77% 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 care2.8%
Ranks better than about 74% 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 months27.8%
Ranks better than about 74% 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 care25%
Ranks better than about 2% 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 hospice8.3%
Ranks better than about 3% 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)52nd 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$14,918 · 33rd 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 58.6% of patients or more. Most hospices score above 90 percent.
- Pain screening100%
- Pain assessment100%
- Breathing difficulty screening100%
- Breathing difficulty treatment100%
- Treatment preferences discussed100%
- Beliefs and values discussed100%
- Bowel care for patients on opioids100%
- Visits in the last days of life58.6%
- All care steps completed100%
Conditions of patients in their care
Share of patients by primary diagnosis. Useful if you want a team with experience in a specific condition.
- Cancer22%
- Dementia24%
- Heart and circulatory disease19%
- Lung and respiratory disease16%
- Other conditions13%
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, reporting period January 2023 through December 2024. Percentiles are computed by CMS across all reporting hospices.
St. Joseph Hospice and Palliative Care Northshore
St. Joseph Hospice and Palliative Care Northshore serves families in the Covington, Louisiana area. This provider offers end of life support designed to bring comfort to your loved ones. They have been certified by Medicare since March 2007. That is over 17 years of service to the local community. Choosing a provider with a long history can offer peace of mind during a hard season. Their team is ready to help you find the right care plan for your specific needs.
About St. Joseph Hospice and Palliative Care Northshore
This provider operates as a for-profit, freestanding hospice center. They are located on West 21st Avenue in St. Tammany County. The team is made up of 19 employees who work together to support patients. This group includes 7 registered nurses and 2 licensed practical nurses. They also have 2 physicians on staff to oversee medical needs. What most people do not realize is that the size of a team often impacts how much time they spend with each person. Having a steady group of nurses means your family will likely see familiar faces during visits. This helps build trust when you need it most. They focus on managing pain and keeping your loved one comfortable at home or in a care facility. It is a simple, direct approach to end of life care.
Quality Performance
Understanding Hospice Care in Covington
Living in Covington gives you access to several hospice options. But not all providers are the same. Some focus on large hospital networks while others like this one are freestanding centers. Freestanding means they focus only on hospice services. They do not have to split their time with hospital duties. The thing is, hospice is not just for the final days. You can start these services much earlier to manage symptoms and improve daily life. The goal is to keep your loved one at home whenever possible. And the team is there to guide you through every step of the process. They handle the medical supplies and the emotional support. This allows you to focus on being a family member rather than a caregiver. That is a big deal when you are already tired.
What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider
Finding the right fit takes a little bit of time. You should feel comfortable with the people entering your home. Here are a few questions to ask during your first meeting. First, ask how quickly a nurse can get to your home if an emergency happens at night. Second, ask how they handle pain management and if they can change medicine quickly. Third, ask how they support family members with grief after a loss. Finally, ask if their staff is available on weekends or holidays. You need to know that support is there when you need it most. Write down the answers you get from each provider. Comparing these notes will help you make a clear choice. Trust your gut feeling after you talk to them.
Keep Your Family Stories Alive
Your loved one has a life full of stories and wisdom that should be saved for future generations. Start recording those memories today so they are never lost.
Preserve MemoriesOther Hospice Providers Nearby
TRADITIONS HEALTH
CONCERNED CARE HOSPICE
EGAN HOSPICE
BRIGHTON BRIDGE
SOUTHERN GRACE HOSPICE
AMEDISYS HOSPICE
Helpful Guides for Families
10 Essential Hospice Questions for Evaluating Providers
Evaluating hospice care for a loved one? Use these 10 essential hospice questions to interview providers and ensure your family receives the best possible support.
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.
Starting Difficult Conversations: A Guide for Families
Struggling with end-of-life talks? Learn the best ways for starting difficult conversations with your aging parents to ensure their wishes are honored today.
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.