BLUE WATER HOSPICE
Provider Information
- Address
- 3403 LAPEER RD, SUITE B101
PORT HURON, MI 48060 - Ownership Type
- Non-Profit
- Medicare Certified Since
- June 19, 1991
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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) | 6 |
| Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN) | 1 |
| Volunteers | 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 BLUE WATER 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 2015.
Care Details from Medicare Data
Medicare computes these numbers from claims and required reporting. They show how BLUE WATER HOSPICE compares to hospices nationwide.
25.5 minutes
of nurse care per routine home care day, on average
That is the 98th percentile among hospices nationally. The national median is about 12 minutes.
29
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 day25.5 min
Ranks better than about 98% 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 weekends22.1%
Ranks better than about 96% 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%
Ranks better than about 70% 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 visits36.6%
Ranks better than about 71% 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 care17.1%
Ranks better than about 5% 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 months20%
Ranks better than about 87% 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 care2.9%
Ranks better than about 73% 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$6,698 · 2nd 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 76.4% of patients or more. Most hospices score above 90 percent.
- Pain screening99.4%
- Pain assessment99.7%
- Breathing difficulty screening99.2%
- Breathing difficulty treatment97.2%
- Treatment preferences discussed100%
- Beliefs and values discussed100%
- Bowel care for patients on opioids100%
- Visits in the last days of life76.4%
- All care steps completed96.9%
Conditions of patients in their care
Share of patients by primary diagnosis. Useful if you want a team with experience in a specific condition.
- Cancer35%
- Dementia17%
- Heart and circulatory disease20%
- Lung and respiratory disease9%
- Other conditions17%
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, reporting period January 2023 through December 2024. Percentiles are computed by CMS across all reporting hospices.
Blue Water Hospice in Port Huron
Blue Water Hospice provides end of life care for families in Port Huron, Michigan. They operate as a freestanding hospice agency. This provider holds accreditation from the Accreditation Commission for Health Care. This status proves they meet high standards for safety and patient care. They have served the community since 1991. The team works to keep patients comfortable in their own homes or local facilities. Families looking for care in St. Clair County can expect a team that meets national quality benchmarks.
About Blue Water Hospice
This agency operates as a non-profit organization. Non-profit hospice providers often reinvest earnings back into patient services and staff training. They have been certified by Medicare for over thirty years. Their accreditation from the Accreditation Commission for Health Care shows they follow strict rules for clinical performance. This group reviews hospice agencies to ensure they follow federal and state health regulations. It helps families feel sure that the care meets specific quality goals. The staff includes six registered nurses and one licensed practical nurse. They also work with two volunteers to support patient needs. This staffing mix allows for regular check-ins and direct support during difficult times. You should always check if a provider has current staff available for your specific area. Their long history of Medicare certification suggests they are used to meeting federal requirements for quality and safety.
High Quality Standards
What Is Hospice Care Like in Port Huron?
Hospice care in Port Huron focuses on comfort rather than a cure. The goal is to manage pain and help patients spend time with loved ones. A team of experts visits the patient to help with physical and emotional needs. At Blue Water Hospice, the team includes six registered nurses and one licensed practical nurse. These nurses manage medications and monitor symptoms closely. Two volunteers also assist with companionship or small tasks. This team works together to create a plan that fits the patient. They communicate with the family to explain what to expect each day. Having a local team means help is usually nearby when a crisis happens. Most families find that having professional eyes on the patient brings peace of mind. It allows the family to focus on being a spouse or child instead of a caregiver.
What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider
Talking to a hospice agency can feel heavy. But asking the right questions helps you make a clear choice. First, ask how many nurses will visit the patient each week. You want to know who is on call after hours. Second, ask how the agency handles sudden changes in pain or symptoms. You need a fast response. Third, ask what specific services the volunteers provide for the family. Do they offer respite time for primary caregivers? Finally, ask how they coordinate with the patient's primary doctor. A good flow of information keeps everyone on the same page. Write down the answers so you can compare them later. Take your time with this process. You deserve to feel confident in the care your loved one receives.
Preserve Your Family History
Your loved one has a unique life story that deserves to be remembered. We provide tools to help you record memories and stories while you have the time.
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