HEART OF HOSPICE
Provider Information
- Address
- 1700 BELLE CHASSE HWY, BLDG B STE 230
GRETNA, LA 70056 - Ownership Type
- For-Profit
- Medicare Certified Since
- October 31, 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) | 28 |
| Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN) | 3 |
| Physicians | 4 |
| Volunteers | 4 |
70
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 HEART OF 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 HEART OF HOSPICE compares to hospices nationwide.
11.9 minutes
of nurse care per routine home care day, on average
That is the 46th percentile among hospices nationally. The national median is about 12 minutes.
136
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 day11.9 min
Ranks better than about 46% 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 weekends7.9%
Ranks better than about 50% 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 life91.3%
Ranks better than about 37% 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 visits47.6%
Ranks better than about 57% 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 care10.7%
Ranks better than about 23% 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 months35.6%
Ranks better than about 53% 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 care12.7%
Ranks better than about 24% 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)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$14,125 · 29th 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 64.1% of patients or more. Most hospices score above 90 percent.
- Pain screening100%
- Pain assessment100%
- Breathing difficulty screening99.8%
- Breathing difficulty treatment98.6%
- Treatment preferences discussed99.8%
- Beliefs and values discussed99.8%
- Bowel care for patients on opioids100%
- Visits in the last days of life64.1%
- All care steps completed99%
Conditions of patients in their care
Share of patients by primary diagnosis. Useful if you want a team with experience in a specific condition.
- Cancer24%
- Dementia28%
- Heart and circulatory disease17%
- Lung and respiratory disease10%
- Stroke8%
- Other conditions15%
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, reporting period January 2023 through December 2024. Percentiles are computed by CMS across all reporting hospices.
Heart of Hospice in Gretna
Heart of Hospice serves families in Gretna, Louisiana, from their office on Belle Chasse Highway. This provider has been certified to offer hospice services since 2007. They focus on providing care to those who need support during a terminal illness. Their team helps manage symptoms while focusing on the comfort of each patient. Choosing a local provider often makes it easier for family members to visit and stay involved in care plans. The office in Jefferson County aims to meet the needs of the local community through their hospice programs. They offer care that follows federal rules for quality and safety. This is a licensed hospice provider that works under Medicare guidelines to serve patients near their homes.
About Heart of Hospice
Heart of Hospice operates as a for-profit organization. This means they manage their own resources to provide hospice care. Their long history of certification shows they have met federal standards for many years. The provider employs a large team of 70 people to help patients and families. This group includes 28 registered nurses and 3 licensed practical nurses. They also have 4 physicians and 4 volunteers on staff. Having this many nurses on the team allows for direct attention to medical needs. Families should look at how these staff members work together to provide support. A larger staff often means more eyes on the patient. That is a benefit for care quality. Understanding these numbers helps families see how the provider builds their care team. It shows they value having trained professionals ready to help when symptoms change or pain needs management.
Quality Performance
What Is Hospice Care Like in Gretna?
Hospice care in Gretna follows the same rules as other parts of Louisiana. The goal is to keep patients comfortable in their own homes. This care team brings medical supplies and support right to the front door. They focus on pain control and emotional help for the whole family. The team includes doctors, nurses, and volunteers who visit on a regular schedule. A registered nurse often leads the care plan to ensure all needs are met. Having a local team means they can reach homes in Jefferson County quickly if a crisis happens. They work to keep the patient out of the hospital when possible. This approach allows families to spend more time together in a familiar space. The staff provides the medical help that keeps the patient safe at home. It is a team effort every single day.
What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider
Choosing the right hospice team is a big decision for any family. You want to feel confident in the care your loved one will receive. Start by asking how many nurses they have available for after-hours calls. This ensures someone is ready to help at night or on weekends. Ask how they manage pain and other difficult symptoms at home. You should also ask how often a nurse will visit the home each week. It is helpful to know how they involve family members in the daily plan. Ask what kind of volunteer support they offer for respite or companionship. Finally, ask them to explain their plan for sudden changes in the patient's health. Getting clear answers helps you make a choice that fits your family. Good communication is the foundation of a strong care plan.
Preserve Your Family Stories
Your family history is a gift. Capture your loved one's memories and lessons while you have the chance to write them down.
Start Your LegacyOther Hospice Providers Nearby
Helpful Guides for Families
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.
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.
Choosing a Hospice Provider: A 5-Step Quality Guide
Feeling overwhelmed? Use our expert 5-step guide to choosing a hospice provider that offers the compassionate, high-quality care your loved one deserves.
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.