HospiceScout

COMPASSUS - SOUTHERN MASSACHUSETTS

For-ProfitACHC AccreditedFreestanding Hospice

Provider Information

Address
790 TURNPIKE STREET, SUITE 202
NORTH ANDOVER, MA 01845
Ownership Type
For-Profit
Medicare Certified Since
April 16, 2002

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CMS Quality Ratings

Overall Rating

Composite score combining quality measures and patient survey results.

Quality of Care

Based on the CMS Hospice Care Index — 10 operational quality indicators including visits near death, nursing minutes, and care transitions.

Patient Satisfaction

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

Staffing breakdown for COMPASSUS - SOUTHERN MASSACHUSETTS
RoleStaff Count
Registered Nurses (RN)20
Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN)0
Physicians1
Volunteers22

58

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 COMPASSUS - SOUTHERN MASSACHUSETTS 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

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.

Type of inpatient care
Both general inpatient care and respite care
Medical supplies and equipment
Brought in through an outside supplier

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 COMPASSUS - SOUTHERN MASSACHUSETTS compares to hospices nationwide.

9.1 minutes

of nurse care per routine home care day, on average

That is the 16th 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 day9.1 min

    Ranks better than about 16% 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 weekends7.4%

    Ranks better than about 44% 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 life92.7%

    Ranks better than about 44% 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 visits54.5%

    Ranks better than about 47% 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 care5.9%

    Ranks better than about 53% 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 months52.1%

    Ranks better than about 15% 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 care7.7%

    Ranks better than about 47% 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 hospice2.4%

    Ranks better than about 32% 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$17,512 · 48th 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 71.4% 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 life71.4%
  • 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.

  • Cancer11%
  • Dementia47%
  • Heart and circulatory disease2%
  • Lung and respiratory disease4%
  • Stroke27%
  • Other conditions10%

Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Percentiles are computed by CMS across all reporting hospices.

Compassus - Southern Massachusetts

Compassus - Southern Massachusetts serves families in North Andover and the surrounding area. This provider operates as a freestanding hospice agency. They have earned accreditation from the Accreditation Commission for Health Care. This status shows they meet high standards for safety and patient care. Families looking for care in Essex County can reach them at their Turnpike Street office. They have been providing hospice services since 2002. That is over two decades of local experience. Choosing a team with this level of history can provide comfort during a hard time. Their staff includes registered nurses, physicians, and volunteers who work together to meet patient needs. You can contact their office directly at (978) 777-8222 to learn about their specific programs. They are ready to help your family understand the hospice process today.

About Compassus - Southern Massachusetts

This provider is a for-profit hospice agency. They have maintained Medicare certification for many years. Their team is made up of 58 employees. This group includes 20 registered nurses and one physician. They also have 22 volunteers who help support patients and families. The agency holds accreditation from the Accreditation Commission for Health Care. This group reviews health organizations to check if they follow strict quality rules. They look at how a hospice manages medicine and patient safety. Accredited agencies often have stronger internal systems to keep care consistent. What this means for your family is a clear focus on following proven care steps. You should feel free to ask them about their specific team structure. They can explain how their nurses and volunteers coordinate care for each patient. Knowing the team size helps you see how much support is available for your loved one.

Quality Summary

This provider holds strong marks for quality of care based on federal reporting. While their overall standing is solid, patient feedback remains an area where they continue to work on improving the experience for families.

What Is Hospice Care Like in North Andover?

Hospice care in North Andover focuses on comfort for people with serious health conditions. The goal is to manage pain and improve quality of life. Compassus - Southern Massachusetts provides this care with a team of 20 registered nurses and a physician. These professionals visit patients where they live. They also rely on 22 volunteers to provide extra companionship or help with daily errands. This mix of clinical and support staff is common in the Essex County area. The team works to keep patients comfortable in their own homes. Nurses handle the medical side of things. Volunteers offer a friendly face and a listening ear. This dual approach helps address both physical pain and emotional needs. You can expect regular visits to monitor symptoms and adjust care plans as needed. The team is there to support the whole family during this transition.

What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider

Choosing the right hospice team is a big decision for your family. You should ask clear questions to understand how they work. First, ask how quickly a nurse can arrive if you have a sudden crisis at night. You need to know that support is available when you need it most. Second, ask how they communicate changes in a patient's condition to family members. Keeping everyone informed is a major part of good care. Third, ask about the specific role of their volunteers in the home. Some families want a lot of volunteer help while others prefer more privacy. Finally, ask how they handle pain management and comfort needs. You want a team that responds fast to new symptoms. Write these questions down before you call or visit. It will help you stay focused during your conversation with the agency.

Preserve Your Family Stories

Your loved one has a lifetime of memories that deserve to be kept for future generations. Start recording their history today.

Learn More

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