DUKE HOSPICE
Provider Information
- Address
- 12 MOORE DRIVE
DURHAM, NC 27713 - Ownership Type
- Non-Profit
- Medicare Certified Since
- February 5, 1986
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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) | 31 |
| Physicians | 1 |
66
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 DUKE HOSPICE reported, not a check of what it offers today. Confirm current arrangements with the hospice.
- Short-term inpatient care
- Both provided directly and arranged with other facilities
- Type of inpatient care
- Both general inpatient care and respite care
- Medical supplies and equipment
- Supplied directly by this hospice
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 2021.
Care Details from Medicare Data
Medicare computes these numbers from claims and required reporting. They show how DUKE HOSPICE compares to hospices nationwide.
12.2 minutes
of nurse care per routine home care day, on average
That is the 50th percentile among hospices nationally. The national median is about 12 minutes.
174
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 day12.2 min
Ranks better than about 50% 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 life93.8%
Ranks better than about 52% 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 visits54.8%
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 care11%
Ranks better than about 22% 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 months15.5%
Ranks better than about 92% 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 care7.8%
Ranks better than about 46% 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 hospice2.3%
Ranks better than about 33% 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$10,798 · 13th 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 47.1% of patients or more. Most hospices score above 90 percent.
- Pain screening99.2%
- Pain assessment95.8%
- Breathing difficulty screening99.8%
- Breathing difficulty treatment98.6%
- Treatment preferences discussed100%
- Beliefs and values discussed99.7%
- Bowel care for patients on opioids100%
- Visits in the last days of life47.1%
- All care steps completed95.4%
Conditions of patients in their care
Share of patients by primary diagnosis. Useful if you want a team with experience in a specific condition.
- Cancer41%
- Dementia12%
- Heart and circulatory disease14%
- Lung and respiratory disease9%
- Stroke7%
- Other conditions19%
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, reporting period January 2023 through December 2024. Percentiles are computed by CMS across all reporting hospices.
Duke Hospice in Durham
Duke Hospice serves families throughout Durham and the surrounding North Carolina area. They provide end of life care through their hospital based program. This team has served the community since early 1986. They hold accreditation from the Joint Commission to ensure they meet high standards for patient safety and comfort. This accreditation means an outside group checked their work against strict national goals. You can trust that they follow proven rules for your loved one. It is a big deal for a local hospice to maintain this status for decades. The team focuses on comfort and quality of life. They want to make sure your family feels supported during a hard time. Choosing a place with a long history can bring peace of mind to many people. You deserve care that is reliable and kind every single day.
About Duke Hospice
This provider operates as a non profit organization. Being non profit often means they put any extra money back into the care they offer. They have been certified by Medicare for a long time. That shows a deep commitment to the community. The Joint Commission accreditation is a badge of honor in the medical world. It shows they push themselves to be better than the bare minimum. They have a team of 66 employees ready to help. This includes 31 registered nurses and one physician on staff. What most people do not realize is how much this team relies on each other. Having many nurses means more eyes on your loved one. That is a good thing. You should know that their care model is built on hospital standards. This background helps them handle complex needs with ease. Their focus stays on your family goals and comfort needs at home or in the hospital.
Quality and Satisfaction
Understanding Hospice Care in Durham
Hospice care is about helping people live their final months with dignity. In Durham, you have choices for who will provide this support. It is a very personal decision for every family. The thing is, hospice is not just for the final days. It is about comfort and pain relief when a cure is no longer the goal. Duke Hospice uses a large team of professionals to cover all your needs. With 31 registered nurses on their team, they have the manpower to respond quickly to changes in health. That matters when you are scared or unsure of what to do next. A good team listens to your story and your fears. They work with you to make sure your loved one is safe. You are not alone in this. There is a whole group of people ready to walk this path with you and your family.
What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider
Finding the right provider can feel like a heavy task. Start by asking how quickly a nurse can get to your home if an emergency happens at night. You should also ask how they manage pain and other symptoms. It is smart to learn how they support family members who are grieving. Ask about their volunteer program too. Volunteers can offer a break for tired caregivers. Ask them how they handle weekend or holiday visits. You need to know if you will see the same nurse often. Building a bond with the team makes a big difference. Do not be afraid to ask about their experience with your specific health needs. A good provider will be happy to answer your questions clearly. They should never rush you. Take your time to find the group that feels like the right fit for your family.
Preserve Your Family Story
Your family history is a gift that deserves to be saved. We provide simple tools to help you record memories and stories for the generations to come.
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Helpful Guides for Families
Starting the End-of-Life Conversation: A Family Guide
Starting the end-of-life conversation is hard. Our guide provides scripts, expert tips, and Medicare insights to help you navigate this talk with confidence.
Starting Difficult Conversations: A Guide for Families
Struggling with end-of-life talks? Learn the best ways for starting difficult conversations with your aging parents to ensure their wishes are honored today.
What CMS Star Ratings Actually Mean for Your Family
Confused by hospice star ratings? Learn how CMS calculates these scores, what they reveal about care quality, and how to find the right provider for your family.
Some stories are worth writing down
Between the calls and the paperwork, many families wish they had asked more about the person at the center of it all. A recorded conversation, a favorite recipe, the story behind an old photo. Small things now can mean a great deal later. Our legacy guides show simple ways to start.