HOSPICE OF WASHINGTON COUNTY, INC
Provider Information
- Address
- 1710 UNDERPASS WAY, STE 300
HAGERSTOWN, MD 21740 - Ownership Type
- Other
- Medicare Certified Since
- August 30, 1989
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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) | 56 |
| Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN) | 11 |
| Physicians | 2 |
112
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 WASHINGTON COUNTY, INC 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 WASHINGTON COUNTY, INC compares to hospices nationwide.
12.7 minutes
of nurse care per routine home care day, on average
That is the 55th percentile among hospices nationally. The national median is about 12 minutes.
133
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 day12.7 min
Ranks better than about 55% 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 weekends11.5%
Ranks better than about 78% 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 life96.6%
Ranks better than about 76% 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 visits70.4%
Ranks better than about 25% 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 care2.6%
Ranks better than about 75% 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 months34.8%
Ranks better than about 55% 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 care3.2%
Ranks better than about 71% 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 hospice0%
Ranks better than about 55% 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)95th 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$9,924 · 10th 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 71.7% of patients or more. Most hospices score above 90 percent.
- Pain screening100%
- Pain assessment98.3%
- Breathing difficulty screening99.9%
- Breathing difficulty treatment99.8%
- Treatment preferences discussed100%
- Beliefs and values discussed99.8%
- Bowel care for patients on opioids100%
- Visits in the last days of life71.7%
- All care steps completed98.5%
Conditions of patients in their care
Share of patients by primary diagnosis. Useful if you want a team with experience in a specific condition.
- Cancer32%
- Dementia4%
- Heart and circulatory disease16%
- Lung and respiratory disease9%
- Stroke19%
- Other conditions22%
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, reporting period January 2023 through December 2024. Percentiles are computed by CMS across all reporting hospices.
Hospice of Washington County, Inc
Hospice of Washington County, Inc serves families in Hagerstown, Maryland. They offer end of life care to help patients live with comfort and dignity. This provider has been certified by Medicare since August 30, 1989. That is over three decades of service to the local community. They operate as a freestanding hospice provider to focus on the needs of their patients. Choosing the right care team is a big decision for any family. This provider works to support both the patient and their loved ones through a difficult time. They focus on managing pain and providing emotional support. It is a dedicated approach to care.
About Hospice of Washington County, Inc
This provider is classified under other ownership. They have a team of 112 employees ready to help. This includes 56 registered nurses and 11 licensed practical nurses. They also have two physicians on staff to oversee medical needs. Their long history of Medicare certification shows they have met federal standards for a long time. Medicare certification matters because it means they follow strict rules for safety and care. You want a team that knows exactly what they are doing. These nurses and doctors work together to create a plan for each person. They want to make sure every patient feels heard and supported. That is their main goal. It is a professional team that cares about the outcome for your loved one.
Understanding Hospice Care in Hagerstown
Hospice care in Washington County focuses on comfort rather than a cure. You can get this care at home or in a facility. The team visits you to provide medicine and emotional support. Most people do not realize that hospice includes help for the whole family. It is not just about the person who is sick. They have a large staff to handle many different needs. With 56 registered nurses, they have the reach to check in on patients often. This level of support helps keep things calm at home. It allows you to spend time with your family instead of worrying about medical tasks. The team handles the heavy lifting. You can just focus on being present with the people you love. That is the true value of their service.
What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider
Picking a hospice team feels like a heavy task. It helps to ask questions that get to the heart of their care. You should feel comfortable with the people entering your home. First, ask how quickly a nurse can come to your house if a problem happens at night. You need to know that help is there when you need it. Second, ask how they manage pain and other symptoms. You want a team that acts fast. Third, ask how they support family members with grief. It is a hard time and you deserve extra care. Finally, ask what the daily routine looks like for the nurses. Do they have a set schedule? You want to know what to expect. Asking these questions will help you feel more at peace with your choice.
Keep Your Family Stories Alive
Every life has a story that deserves to be remembered. We help you capture memories and words to share with future generations.
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Helpful Guides for Families
Starting the End-of-Life Conversation: A Family Guide
Starting the end-of-life conversation is hard. Our guide provides scripts, expert tips, and Medicare insights to help you navigate this talk with confidence.
Understanding Hospice Levels of Care: A Family Guide
Navigating end-of-life care is hard. Our guide to understanding hospice levels of care helps you make informed choices for your loved one with confidence.
Hospice vs Palliative Care: Understanding the Difference
Confused about hospice vs palliative care? We break down the key differences, benefits, and how to choose the right end-of-life care for your loved one.
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.