HospiceScout

SUMMA HOSPICE

OtherJoint Commission (JCAHO) AccreditedHospital

Provider Information

Address
1077 GORGE BLVD, SUITE A2
AKRON, OH 44310
Ownership Type
Other
Medicare Certified Since
July 1, 1999

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CMS Quality Ratings

Overall Rating

Composite score combining quality measures and patient survey results.

Quality of Care

Based on the CMS Hospice Care Index — 10 operational quality indicators including visits near death, nursing minutes, and care transitions.

Patient Satisfaction

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

Staffing breakdown for SUMMA HOSPICE
RoleStaff Count
Registered Nurses (RN)27
Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN)5
Physicians2
Volunteers2

77

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 SUMMA 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

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.

Type of inpatient care
Respite care (up to five days at a time, to give family caregivers a break)
Medical supplies and equipment
Brought in through an outside supplier

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 2014.

Care Details from Medicare Data

Medicare computes these numbers from claims and required reporting. They show how SUMMA HOSPICE compares to hospices nationwide.

18.6 minutes

of nurse care per routine home care day, on average

That is the 92nd percentile among hospices nationally. The national median is about 12 minutes.

151

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 day18.6 min

    Ranks better than about 92% 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 weekends8.8%

    Ranks better than about 60% 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 life95.9%

    Ranks better than about 69% 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 visits22.6%

    Ranks better than about 87% 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 care18.2%

    Ranks better than about 5% 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 months26.4%

    Ranks better than about 77% 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 care11.8%

    Ranks better than about 28% 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 hospice1.8%

    Ranks better than about 40% 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$9,576 · 9th 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 55.2% of patients or more. Most hospices score above 90 percent.
  • Pain screening99%
  • Pain assessment100%
  • Breathing difficulty screening99.9%
  • Breathing difficulty treatment99.4%
  • Treatment preferences discussed99.9%
  • Beliefs and values discussed99.6%
  • Bowel care for patients on opioids99.5%
  • Visits in the last days of life55.2%
  • 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.

  • Cancer26%
  • Dementia3%
  • Heart and circulatory disease14%
  • Lung and respiratory disease16%
  • Stroke6%
  • Other conditions36%

Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, reporting period January 2023 through December 2024. Percentiles are computed by CMS across all reporting hospices.

Serving Your Loved Ones in Akron

Summa Hospice provides end-of-life care for families living in Akron, Ohio. Based at 1077 Gorge Blvd, they offer support for patients facing terminal illnesses. Their team focuses on comfort and dignity during a difficult season of life. You want a team that truly cares. This provider has been serving the community for over two decades. They first earned their Medicare certification back in July of 1999. That long history shows they have deep roots in Summit County. Choosing the right care is a big decision for your family. You need clear facts to make the best choice. Their office is easy to reach for local residents. They aim to keep patients comfortable in their own homes. That is the heart of what they do every single day.

About Summa Hospice

Summa Hospice operates under an "Other" ownership structure. This means they are distinct from typical non-profit or for-profit hospice groups. They have been Medicare certified since 1999. That date matters. It proves they have met federal standards for a very long time. What should families look for? You should look for consistency. A hospice provider must follow strict rules to stay certified. Summa Hospice maintains these standards to serve the Akron area. They work to manage pain and provide emotional support for everyone involved. The thing is, hospice is about more than just medicine. It is about honoring the life of the person you love. They strive to provide a steady hand during your journey. You can call them at (234) 200-1210 to learn more about their specific approach to care. Getting your questions answered early is always a smart move.

Quality Care Insights

Summa Hospice holds a strong 4.5 out of 5 stars for overall quality. They also earned a 4.5 rating for their quality of care. This shows they are doing great work with medical needs. However, their patient satisfaction score is 3 out of 5 stars. This survey asks families about their personal experience. It is a good reminder to ask questions that matter to your specific situation.

Understanding Hospice Care in Akron

Finding the right care in Summit County can feel like a heavy task. But you have options. Most hospice providers in Ohio offer similar core services. They all provide nurses, aides, and social workers. Some offer extra programs for music or pet therapy. The goal is always the same. They want to improve the quality of life for the patient. Many people think hospice is only for the last few days of life. That is a myth. You can actually use these services for months. Early care helps everyone adjust. Akron has several resources for families in need of support. It is important to talk to your doctor about when to start. Do not wait until a crisis happens. Start the conversation early. You will feel better knowing a plan is in place. Peace of mind is worth it.

What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider

You have the right to ask tough questions. Do not be shy. This is for your loved one. First, ask how quickly their nurses can visit your home. You need to know they can respond to emergencies. Second, ask what their team does to help with family grief. A good team supports the whole group, not just the patient. Third, ask about their experience with your loved one's specific illness. Every condition needs a different touch. Finally, ask if they have volunteers who can sit with the patient. Sometimes just having a visitor makes a huge difference. Write these down before your meeting. It is easy to forget things when you are stressed. And remember, you are the one in charge of this decision. Take your time. Find the fit that feels right for you.

Keep Your Family's Stories Alive

Your loved one has a lifetime of memories worth saving. We make it easy to record their unique voice and life lessons for future generations to cherish forever.

Preserve Their Story

Other Hospice Providers Nearby

Helpful Guides for Families

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.