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 August 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 screening98.8%
- Pain assessment100%
- 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 completed98.4%
Conditions of patients in their care
Share of patients by primary diagnosis. Useful if you want a team with experience in a specific condition.
- Cancer21%
- Dementia14%
- Heart and circulatory disease29%
- Lung and respiratory disease19%
- Other conditions16%
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Percentiles are computed by CMS across all reporting hospices.
Hospice & Palliative Care of the Blue Ridge
Hospice & Palliative Care of the Blue Ridge provides end-of-life support to families in Spruce Pine, North Carolina. This non-profit organization serves Mitchell County with a focus on comfort and symptom management. They have held Medicare certification since 1993. The agency maintains accreditation through CHAP. This means they meet national standards for quality and safety in home health and hospice services. Their team helps patients stay in their own homes during their final months. Families choose them for their long history of serving this specific mountain community. They work to keep patients comfortable and pain-free. That is their main goal every single day.
About Hospice & Palliative Care of the Blue Ridge
This provider operates as a non-profit agency. Being non-profit often means that earnings go back into patient services. They have been certified by Medicare for over thirty years. That shows they have a long track record of meeting federal rules. Their CHAP accreditation is a sign of high quality. CHAP stands for Community Health Accreditation Partner. They send experts to check that the hospice follows strict rules for care. These experts look at how the agency handles medicine and patient plans. It is a rigorous process. If an agency earns this seal, it shows they want to be held to the highest standards. Families should look for this accreditation when they compare local options. It gives you peace of mind that the care is monitored by an outside group. You deserve to know that your loved one is in good hands.
Quality Performance
What Is Hospice Care Like in Spruce Pine?
Hospice care in this part of North Carolina focuses on the whole family. You get a team of experts who come to your house. This provider employs 32 people to manage this work. Their staff includes 11 registered nurses and one licensed practical nurse. They also have a doctor on the team to oversee medical needs. One unique part of this agency is their use of 39 volunteers. Volunteers often provide companionship or help with small errands. It takes a large team to provide this kind of support. They coordinate with your regular doctor to make sure the plan is right for you. The goal is to manage pain so the patient can spend time with family. It is about quality of life. They make sure you have the supplies and equipment you need at home. You are never left to manage these hard tasks by yourself.
What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider
Choosing a hospice is a big decision for any family. You should feel comfortable with the people who will enter your home. Start by asking how quickly they can start services. Most agencies can begin within 24 hours. Ask how they handle emergencies after business hours. You need to know that a nurse is available to talk on the phone at night. Ask how many patients each nurse sees in a day. A smaller caseload often means more time for your loved one. Finally, ask if they have experience with the specific condition your family member has. Good agencies are open and honest about what they can do. If they seem rushed or cannot answer your questions, keep looking. You should feel like a partner in the care plan. Take your time to find the right fit for your needs.
Preserve Your Family Stories
Your loved one has a lifetime of stories that deserve to be kept safe for future generations to cherish and learn from.
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