HOSPICE & PALLIATIVE CARE OF THE BLUE RIDGE, INC
Provider Information
- Address
- 236 HOSPITAL DRIVE
SPRUCE PINE, NC 28777 - Ownership Type
- Non-Profit
- Medicare Certified Since
- August 9, 1993
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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) | 11 |
| Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN) | 1 |
| Physicians | 1 |
| Volunteers | 39 |
32
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 HOSPICE & PALLIATIVE CARE OF THE BLUE RIDGE, INC 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 2013.
Care Details from Medicare Data
Medicare computes these numbers from claims and required reporting. They show how HOSPICE & PALLIATIVE CARE OF THE BLUE RIDGE, INC compares to hospices nationwide.
9.2 minutes
of nurse care per routine home care day, on average
That is the 17th percentile among hospices nationally. The national median is about 12 minutes.
104
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 day9.2 min
Ranks better than about 17% 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 weekends5.8%
Ranks better than about 24% 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 life94.8%
Ranks better than about 60% 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 visits74.9%
Ranks better than about 20% 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 care6.5%
Ranks better than about 49% 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 months52.2%
Ranks better than about 15% 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 care7.2%
Ranks better than about 49% 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 hospice1.4%
Ranks better than about 45% 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)81st 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$26,332 · 85th 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 52.2% of patients or more. Most hospices score above 90 percent.
- Pain screening98.7%
- Pain assessment99.4%
- Breathing difficulty screening100%
- Breathing difficulty treatment100%
- Treatment preferences discussed99.6%
- Beliefs and values discussed99.6%
- Bowel care for patients on opioids100%
- Visits in the last days of life52.2%
- All care steps completed97.9%
Conditions of patients in their care
Share of patients by primary diagnosis. Useful if you want a team with experience in a specific condition.
- Cancer21%
- Dementia14%
- Heart and circulatory disease29%
- Lung and respiratory disease19%
- Other conditions16%
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, reporting period January 2023 through December 2024. Percentiles are computed by CMS across all reporting hospices.
Compassionate Care in Spruce Pine
Hospice & Palliative Care of the Blue Ridge, Inc. provides essential end-of-life support to families in Spruce Pine, North Carolina. They focus on comfort, dignity, and quality of life for those facing a serious illness. The team at 236 Hospital Drive works hard to ensure patients feel heard and cared for during their most vulnerable moments. This non-profit organization brings peace to homes across Mitchell County. They offer a blend of clinical expertise and true human kindness. When medicine alone is not enough, this team fills the gap with presence and heart. It is about helping families stay together in a place they know and love. Their staff understands that every day counts. That is why they prioritize the needs of the patient above all else. Choosing a local provider often means getting care from neighbors who truly understand the needs of the mountain community.
About Hospice & Palliative Care of the Blue Ridge, Inc.
This provider has been Medicare certified since August 9, 1993. That is over thirty years of serving this region. As a non-profit organization, their primary goal is community health rather than turning a profit. That matters for families. It means resources go directly back into patient comfort and support services. Many people do not realize that non-profit status can often lead to more flexible care plans. They have deep roots in Mitchell County and a long track record of reliability. You are not just getting a service provider; you are getting a partner who has been around for decades. They know the local landscape and how to handle the challenges of mountain living. If you need to reach them, call (828) 765-5677. Their team is ready to answer your questions about how hospice can help your loved one today.
Top-Tier Quality Ratings
Understanding Hospice Care in Spruce Pine
Hospice is not about giving up. It is about choosing to live each day with as little pain as possible. In Spruce Pine, accessing high-quality care can sometimes feel overwhelming. You have to navigate insurance, medical needs, and emotional exhaustion all at once. The good news is that hospice teams manage the heavy lifting for you. They bring medicine, supplies, and nurses directly to your door. This keeps your loved one in their own bed, surrounded by familiar photos and memories. The thing is, most families wait too long to call. They think they need to be days away from the end to qualify. That is a myth. You can start hospice care much earlier to improve your quality of life right now. Reach out to a provider when the stress of caregiving starts to outweigh the joy of spending time together.
What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider
Choosing the right team is a big decision for any family. You deserve to feel comfortable with the people entering your home. Start by asking how quickly a nurse can arrive in an emergency. You want to know that help is just a phone call away, even at midnight. Ask about their volunteer programs, too. Volunteers offer companionship and can give primary caregivers a much-needed break for a few hours. Next, ask how they handle pain management. Every patient responds differently to medicine. You need a team that adjusts plans quickly based on how your loved one feels. Finally, ask what happens if the patient's condition changes suddenly. Will they move the patient to a hospital or keep them at home? Getting clear answers now will save you a lot of worry later on. Trust your gut during these conversations.
Preserve Your Family's Story
The stories and memories you share today are a gift for the future. We offer simple tools to help you record and save your loved one's life experiences during this meaningful time.
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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.
How to Spot a Trustworthy Hospice in 2026
A federal fraud crackdown froze new hospice enrollments in 2026. Here's how to verify a hospice is legitimate, Medicare-certified, and safe to trust.
Understanding Medicare Hospice Benefits: A Family Guide
Navigating end-of-life care is complex. Our guide to Understanding Medicare Hospice Benefits helps you manage costs, coverage, and care with confidence today.
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.