ST JOSEPH HOSPICE OF SOUTHERN MISSISSIPPI, LLC
Provider Information
- Address
- 32 MILBRANCH ROAD, SUITE 30
HATTIESBURG, MS 39402 - Ownership Type
- For-Profit
- Medicare Certified Since
- March 9, 2011
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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) | 10 |
| Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN) | 9 |
36
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 ST JOSEPH HOSPICE OF SOUTHERN MISSISSIPPI, LLC reported, not a check of what it offers today. Confirm current arrangements with the hospice.
An older Medicare record for this hospice lists short-term inpatient care as “not provided.” That code may be out of date. Medicare requires certified hospices to make inpatient care available for symptom management and caregiver respite. Ask this hospice how it arranges a bed if symptoms become hard to manage at home.
Reported by this hospice to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services when it was certified in 2011.
Care Details from Medicare Data
Medicare computes these numbers from claims and required reporting. They show how ST JOSEPH HOSPICE OF SOUTHERN MISSISSIPPI, LLC compares to hospices nationwide.
10.3 minutes
of nurse care per routine home care day, on average
That is the 28th percentile among hospices nationally. The national median is about 12 minutes.
127
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 day10.3 min
Ranks better than about 28% 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 visits61.8%
Ranks better than about 37% 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 care9.3%
Ranks better than about 30% 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 months35.3%
Ranks better than about 54% 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%
Ranks better than about 37% 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)92nd 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$16,029 · 39th 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 63.7% of patients or more. Most hospices score above 90 percent.
- Pain screening99.6%
- Pain assessment99.8%
- 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 life63.7%
- All care steps completed99.5%
Conditions of patients in their care
Share of patients by primary diagnosis. Useful if you want a team with experience in a specific condition.
- Cancer23%
- Dementia21%
- Heart and circulatory disease19%
- Lung and respiratory disease13%
- Stroke11%
- Other conditions15%
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, reporting period January 2023 through December 2024. Percentiles are computed by CMS across all reporting hospices.
St. Joseph Hospice in Hattiesburg
St. Joseph Hospice of Southern Mississippi serves families in the Hattiesburg area. They offer end-of-life care meant to support comfort and dignity for patients. This provider holds accreditation from CHAP. That means an outside group checked their work to meet high standards. They have served the community since 2011. Choosing the right hospice is a big step for your loved one. This team works to provide care that fits your specific needs. They focus on quality as their main goal every single day. The office sits on Milbranch Road for easy access. They are ready to help when you need them most.
About St. Joseph Hospice
This provider operates as a for-profit hospice center. They have been certified by Medicare for over a decade. Being CHAP accredited shows they follow strict rules for safety and care. What does this mean for you? It means they have passed tests for how they treat patients. Their team includes 10 registered nurses and 9 licensed practical nurses. That is 19 nursing staff members ready to assist. They care for patients in their own homes or other living spots. You should always look for a team that fits your family values. They have the staff to handle many different medical needs. This is a solid sign of their commitment to care. Ask them about their specific experience with your situation.
Quality Performance
Understanding Hospice Care in Hattiesburg
Finding the right care in Forrest County can feel like a heavy task. You want a team that knows the area well. St. Joseph Hospice uses a team of 36 employees to support their patients. That is a good size for a local provider. The thing is, hospice is about more than just medical tasks. It is about being there when the family feels lost. The nurses work hard to manage pain and symptoms at home. They also help the family understand what to expect. And it is important to have a team that listens well. They can explain the process in ways that make sense to you. You deserve clear answers during this hard time. The goal is always to keep your loved one comfortable and peaceful.
What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider
You have choices when selecting a hospice team. Do not be afraid to ask direct questions. First, ask how quickly a nurse can get to your home in an emergency. You need to know that help is nearby. Second, ask what their plan is for pain relief at night or on weekends. Comfort should never wait for business hours. Third, ask how they involve the family in the daily care plan. You know your loved one best. And finally, ask how they support the family after the patient passes away. Grief support is a key part of good hospice care. Take your time with these talks. You want a team that feels like a partner. Trust your gut when you speak with them.
Keep Your Family Stories Alive
The time you spend with loved ones is precious. You can save your family history and special memories through our simple recording tools.
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