NOTRE DAME HOSPICE
Provider Information
- Address
- 555 PLANTATION STREET
WORCESTER, MA 01605 - Ownership Type
- For-Profit
- Medicare Certified Since
- June 5, 2007
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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 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
| Role | Staff Count |
|---|---|
| Registered Nurses (RN) | 10 |
| Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN) | 1 |
| Physicians | 1 |
| Volunteers | 24 |
25
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 NOTRE DAME 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
- Respite care (up to five days at a time, to give family caregivers a break)
- 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 2022.
Care Details from Medicare Data
Medicare computes these numbers from claims and required reporting. They show how NOTRE DAME HOSPICE compares to hospices nationwide.
10.7 minutes
of nurse care per routine home care day, on average
That is the 33rd percentile among hospices nationally. The national median is about 12 minutes.
77
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 day10.7 min
Ranks better than about 33% 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 weekends8.9%
Ranks better than about 61% 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 life91.7%
Ranks better than about 39% 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 visits47.7%
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 care1.9%
Ranks better than about 79% 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 months38.9%
Ranks better than about 44% 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 care3.7%
Ranks better than about 69% 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)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$19,645 · 59th 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 68.4% of patients or more. Most hospices score above 90 percent.
- Pain screening99.6%
- Pain assessment100%
- Breathing difficulty screening99.2%
- Breathing difficulty treatment94.4%
- Treatment preferences discussed100%
- Beliefs and values discussed96.4%
- Bowel care for patients on opioids100%
- Visits in the last days of life68.4%
- All care steps completed94.0%
Conditions of patients in their care
Share of patients by primary diagnosis. Useful if you want a team with experience in a specific condition.
- Cancer20%
- Dementia30%
- Heart and circulatory disease14%
- Lung and respiratory disease6%
- Stroke14%
- Other conditions16%
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Percentiles are computed by CMS across all reporting hospices.
Notre Dame Hospice
Notre Dame Hospice provides care for patients in Worcester, Massachusetts. They have been a Medicare-certified provider since June 2007. The team supports families by focusing on comfort and quality of life during serious illness. This freestanding hospice operates as a for-profit organization at their Plantation Street location. They offer specialized medical services to help manage pain and other difficult symptoms. Their goal is to provide care that meets the specific needs of each patient and their loved ones. Choosing a hospice is a major decision for any family. Learning about their history helps you understand the support they offer. It is good to know they have served this region for many years.
About Notre Dame Hospice
This provider functions as a freestanding hospice. That means they focus entirely on hospice care rather than being a small part of a larger hospital system. They operate as a for-profit organization. Families often ask what this means for their care. It simply describes the business structure of the agency. They have maintained Medicare certification for over 15 years. This shows they follow national rules for patient safety and care standards. These standards exist to keep quality high for every person they serve. You can find their office on Plantation Street in the heart of Worcester. They have a team of 25 employees ready to help. This includes ten registered nurses and one licensed practical nurse. They also work with a dedicated group of 24 volunteers. These volunteers provide extra companionship and support for families. Having this many people involved shows their commitment to patient care.
What Is Hospice Care Like in Worcester?
Hospice care in Worcester focuses on helping patients live their final months with dignity. The team manages pain and provides support for the whole family. You will find that hospice services here involve a mix of medical and emotional care. At Notre Dame Hospice, the care team is led by a physician. This doctor works with ten registered nurses to oversee daily medical needs. A licensed practical nurse also helps with patient care tasks. Beyond the medical staff, 24 volunteers offer their time to support patients. This team approach ensures that both physical and emotional needs get addressed. Care happens wherever the patient calls home. This might be a private house or a care facility. The main point is that the patient stays in a comfortable setting. The team visits regularly to ensure the patient is comfortable and safe. They also answer questions for family members at any time.
What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider
Asking the right questions helps you feel more confident in your choice. Start by asking how quickly a nurse can arrive if an emergency happens at night. You should also ask how the team will help manage specific symptoms like pain or trouble breathing. It is helpful to know how often a nurse will visit the home each week. Ask about the role of volunteers and how they interact with the patient. You might also ask how they keep family members updated on changes in the patient's condition. Do not be afraid to ask about their experience with your specific situation. Every family has different needs. A good provider will listen to your concerns and answer clearly. They should explain how their team will support you during this time. Take your time to get the information you need before making a final decision.
Other Hospice Providers Nearby
JHC HOSPICE
VNA CARE HOSPICE INC
ASCEND HOSPICE
LONGWOOD HOSPICE
PATHWAYS HEALTHCARE
CRANBERRY HOSPICE
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