VNS AND HOSPICE OF SUFFOLK, INC
Provider Information
- Address
- 101 LAUREL ROAD
EAST NORTHPORT, NY 11731 - Ownership Type
- Non-Profit
- Medicare Certified Since
- June 2, 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) | 28 |
| Physicians | 2 |
| Volunteers | 125 |
68
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 VNS AND HOSPICE OF SUFFOLK, INC reported, not a check of what it offers today. Confirm current arrangements with the hospice.
- Short-term inpatient care
- Provided directly by this hospice
- 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 2008.
Care Details from Medicare Data
Medicare computes these numbers from claims and required reporting. They show how VNS AND HOSPICE OF SUFFOLK, INC compares to hospices nationwide.
13.2 minutes
of nurse care per routine home care day, on average
That is the 60th percentile among hospices nationally. The national median is about 12 minutes.
83
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 day13.2 min
Ranks better than about 60% 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 weekends7.8%
Ranks better than about 49% 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 life95.7%
Ranks better than about 67% 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 visits64.7%
Ranks better than about 33% 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 care6.9%
Ranks better than about 46% 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 months27.8%
Ranks better than about 74% 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 care8.3%
Ranks better than about 44% 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)99th 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$11,493 · 16th 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 54.9% of patients or more. Most hospices score above 90 percent.
- Pain screening99.9%
- Pain assessment100%
- Breathing difficulty screening100%
- Breathing difficulty treatment99.5%
- Treatment preferences discussed100%
- Beliefs and values discussed99.8%
- Bowel care for patients on opioids100%
- Visits in the last days of life54.9%
- All care steps completed99.4%
Conditions of patients in their care
Share of patients by primary diagnosis. Useful if you want a team with experience in a specific condition.
- Cancer31%
- Dementia21%
- Heart and circulatory disease17%
- Lung and respiratory disease10%
- Stroke7%
- Other conditions15%
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, reporting period January 2023 through December 2024. Percentiles are computed by CMS across all reporting hospices.
Expert Hospice Support in East Northport
VNS and Hospice of Suffolk, Inc provides dedicated end-of-life care for families in East Northport, New York. They bring comfort and professional medical support directly to your home. Their team focuses on managing pain and symptoms so your loved one can stay in familiar surroundings. It is a deeply personal choice to invite hospice into your home. This provider works hard to make that transition as smooth as possible for everyone involved. They serve the Suffolk County area with a clear focus on dignity and peace. You deserve a team that listens to your needs during this sensitive time. Choosing the right partner matters more than almost anything else right now. That is why they prioritize clear communication and compassionate bedside support for every patient they serve.
About VNS and Hospice of Suffolk, Inc
VNS and Hospice of Suffolk, Inc has been a Medicare-certified provider since June 1989. That is over three decades of experience serving the local community. As a non-profit organization, they put their resources directly back into patient care. This is a big deal when you want to ensure your loved one gets the best attention. They operate out of their office on Laurel Road in East Northport. Families should know that non-profit status often means a strong commitment to the local mission. They are not chasing profits. Instead, they focus on the quality of the life their patients experience each day. Being certified for this long shows they have deep roots in Suffolk County. They understand the local health system and know how to get things done. You can trust that they have seen many different situations over the years.
Quality of Care
Understanding Hospice Care in East Northport
Hospice is about living well for as long as possible. Many people think it is only for the final few days of life. That is a common myth. In reality, hospice is most helpful when started months before the end. It brings a team of nurses, social workers, and aides to your door. They help with the hard tasks so you can go back to being a son, daughter, or spouse. In Suffolk County, you have access to excellent resources. But you have to take the first step to reach out. The team handles the heavy lifting of symptom management. This lets you focus on holding hands and sharing stories. It is about creating a space where love comes first. The medical side is handled by experts. You just need to be present for the moments that truly matter to your family.
What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider
You need to feel confident in the team you pick. Do not be afraid to ask tough questions during your first meeting. Here are a few things to keep in mind. First, ask how quickly they can get a nurse to your home in an emergency. You need to know that help is just a phone call away at 3:00 AM. Second, ask what their specific plan is for pain management. They should have a clear answer about how they keep patients comfortable. Third, ask how they support the family after a loss. Grief support is a huge part of their job. Finally, ask what their staff-to-patient ratio looks like. You want to be sure they have enough time for your specific needs. Trust your gut feeling when you talk to them. The right fit will feel like a weight being lifted off your shoulders.
Preserve Your Family's History
Your family stories are precious. Capture them now to keep your memories alive for years to come. It is a gift that lasts forever.
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