FIRSTHEALTH HOSPICE
Provider Information
- Address
- 251 CAMPGROUND ROAD
WEST END, NC 27376 - Ownership Type
- Non-Profit
- Medicare Certified Since
- October 4, 1988
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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) | 9 |
| Physicians | 0 |
| Volunteers | 2 |
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 FIRSTHEALTH HOSPICE 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 2007.
Care Details from Medicare Data
Medicare computes these numbers from claims and required reporting. They show how FIRSTHEALTH HOSPICE compares to hospices nationwide.
9.8 minutes
of nurse care per routine home care day, on average
That is the 23rd percentile among hospices nationally. The national median is about 12 minutes.
159
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 day9.8 min
Ranks better than about 23% 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 weekends8.9%
Ranks better than about 61% 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 life97.7%
Ranks better than about 84% 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 visits28.8%
Ranks better than about 80% 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 care5.5%
Ranks better than about 57% 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 months40%
Ranks better than about 40% 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 care3.4%
Ranks better than about 70% 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)96th 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$12,591 · 21st 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 70.3% of patients or more. Most hospices score above 90 percent.
- Pain screening100%
- Pain assessment99.6%
- Breathing difficulty screening99.9%
- Breathing difficulty treatment99.5%
- Treatment preferences discussed100%
- Beliefs and values discussed100%
- Bowel care for patients on opioids100%
- Visits in the last days of life70.3%
- 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.
- Cancer28%
- Dementia10%
- Heart and circulatory disease11%
- Lung and respiratory disease10%
- Stroke21%
- Other conditions21%
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Percentiles are computed by CMS across all reporting hospices.
FirstHealth Hospice in West End
FirstHealth Hospice serves families in West End, North Carolina from its location on Campground Road. This non-profit provider offers hospice care to those who need support during the final stages of life. They have earned accreditation from CHAP, which is a national group that checks if a hospice meets high standards for safety and care. Being accredited shows that they work hard to follow best practices for every person they serve. This agency has been certified by Medicare for many years, starting back in 1988. Choosing a team with this much history can provide peace of mind during a difficult time. They focus on meeting the needs of your loved ones in Moore County. The team is ready to help your family today.
About FirstHealth Hospice
FirstHealth Hospice operates as a non-profit organization in Moore County. This means their main goal is to provide care rather than earn money for owners. They have held Medicare certification for over 35 years. That is a long time to serve a local community. The agency holds accreditation from CHAP. This organization sends experts to visit the hospice to ensure the care is safe and follows strict rules. They review how the hospice manages medical tasks and how they support families. When a hospice holds this badge of approval, it means they have passed a tough audit. Families should know that this provider has a team of 32 employees. This group includes 9 registered nurses who provide medical care. Having nurses on staff is helpful for managing pain and other symptoms at home. They also have 2 volunteers to help with extra support.
Quality Overview
What Is Hospice Care Like in West End?
Hospice care in West End focuses on comfort and quality of life for the patient. The team comes to where the patient lives. This could be a private home or a care facility. They provide medical care to manage pain and other symptoms. The staff at FirstHealth Hospice includes 9 registered nurses who are trained to handle medical needs. They also have 2 volunteers. These volunteers can sit with patients or help with small tasks around the house. The goal is to keep the patient comfortable and surrounded by family. The team works with the family to create a plan that fits their specific wishes. They are there to answer questions and offer guidance. Hospice care is not just for the patient. It is also meant to support the whole family during this time.
What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider
You may feel overwhelmed when looking for hospice care. It helps to have a list of questions ready. First, ask how quickly a nurse can arrive at the home if a problem happens at night. You should also ask what kind of support they offer to family members after a loss. Another good question is how they handle medication delivery and equipment needs. Ask if their staff is available 24 hours a day for phone calls. You might also ask how they coordinate care with the patient's primary doctor. It is smart to ask about their experience with specific illnesses. Do not be afraid to ask for details about their team size or how they train their staff. Clear answers help you feel more confident in your choice. Take your time to get the information you need.
Preserve Your Family Stories
Capture the life lessons, memories, and voice of your loved one to keep their spirit alive for future generations.
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