COMMUNITY HOSPICE OF SOUTHERN OHIO
Provider Information
- Address
- 2029 SOUTH THIRD STREET
IRONTON, OH 45638 - Ownership Type
- Non-Profit
- Medicare Certified Since
- June 2, 2010
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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) | 10 |
| Physicians | 1 |
| Volunteers | 32 |
19
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 COMMUNITY HOSPICE OF SOUTHERN OHIO 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 2010.
Care Details from Medicare Data
Medicare computes these numbers from claims and required reporting. They show how COMMUNITY HOSPICE OF SOUTHERN OHIO compares to hospices nationwide.
14.7 minutes
of nurse care per routine home care day, on average
That is the 74th percentile among hospices nationally. The national median is about 12 minutes.
20
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 day14.7 min
Ranks better than about 74% 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 weekends10.8%
Ranks better than about 74% 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 life96%
Ranks better than about 70% 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 visits67.3%
Ranks better than about 30% 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 care19.2%
Ranks better than about 4% 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 months30.8%
Ranks better than about 66% 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 care0%
Ranks better than about 81% 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)98th 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$10,002 · 11th 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 47.2% of patients or more. Most hospices score above 90 percent.
- Pain screening99.5%
- Pain assessment95.6%
- Breathing difficulty screening100%
- Breathing difficulty treatment100%
- Treatment preferences discussed100%
- Beliefs and values discussed98%
- Bowel care for patients on opioids87.5%
- Visits in the last days of life47.2%
- All care steps completed94.4%
Conditions of patients in their care
Share of patients by primary diagnosis. Useful if you want a team with experience in a specific condition.
- Cancer30%
- Heart and circulatory disease12%
- Lung and respiratory disease16%
- Stroke13%
- Other conditions24%
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, reporting period January 2023 through December 2024. Percentiles are computed by CMS across all reporting hospices.
Care in Ironton
Community Hospice of Southern Ohio serves families throughout Lawrence County from their home base on South Third Street in Ironton. They provide essential end-of-life support focused on comfort, dignity, and quality of life for patients and their loved ones. The team understands the local community well. They bring expert care directly to where patients feel most at home. It is a local resource designed to ease the burden during a difficult season. Choosing the right partner for hospice care makes a world of difference for everyone involved. Their goal is simple: to help patients live their final days with peace and grace. That is the heart of what they do every single day in Ohio.
About Community Hospice of Southern Ohio
This provider operates as a non-profit organization. That is a big deal because it means their focus stays entirely on patient care rather than profits. They have been Medicare certified since June 2, 2010. This long history shows a deep commitment to meeting federal safety and quality standards. Families should know that non-profit status often allows providers to reinvest resources directly back into patient services and community programs. They have served the region for over a decade. That experience matters when you need reliable, steady support. They follow strict rules set by Medicare to ensure every patient receives high-quality care. It provides a level of trust that families really need right now. You are not just a number to them.
High Quality Ratings
Understanding Hospice Care in Ironton
Hospice is about more than just medicine. It is about supporting the whole person. In Ironton, families have access to care teams that include nurses, aides, and social workers. These professionals visit patients wherever they call home. That might be a private house or a nursing facility. The team manages pain and symptoms while helping families handle the emotional side of things. Many people wait too long to ask for help. But the truth is, hospice can provide support for months, not just days. Starting early allows the team to build a real relationship with the patient. It helps everyone feel more prepared for what lies ahead. You have options here. Reach out to learn how these local services fit your specific needs today.
What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider
Choosing a provider is a big decision. You should feel comfortable asking tough questions. First, ask how quickly they can respond if an emergency happens at night or on a weekend. You need to know someone will be there. Second, ask how they involve the family in the plan of care. You know your loved one best. They should listen to you. Third, ask what kind of support they offer for grief and loss after a death. Good hospice care does not end when the patient passes away. It continues for the family. Finally, ask about their specific experience with your loved one's condition. Every illness is different. Make sure they have the right tools to help your family through this time.
Preserve Your Family's Story
Your loved one has a lifetime of wisdom and memories. We can help you record their voice and stories so they are never lost. It is a beautiful gift for your children and grandchildren to keep forever.
Start Recording MemoriesOther Hospice Providers Nearby
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RESIDENTIAL HOSPICE NW OH
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WILSON HOSPICE CARE
EMUNAH HOSPICE LLC
Helpful Guides for Families
A Complete End of Life Planning Checklist for Families
Feeling overwhelmed by end of life planning? Use our comprehensive hospice planning checklist to organize your loved one's care and simplify difficult decisions.
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.
Understanding Medicare Hospice Benefit: A Family Guide
Confused by hospice coverage? Our guide to understanding Medicare hospice benefits helps you navigate care options and costs with confidence and clarity.
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.