SOUTHWEST GENERAL HOSPICE
Provider Information
- Address
- 18659 DRAKE ROAD
STRONGSVILLE, OH 44136 - Ownership Type
- Non-Profit
- Medicare Certified Since
- August 30, 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 |
| Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN) | 4 |
| Physicians | 1 |
| Volunteers | 7 |
24
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 SOUTHWEST GENERAL HOSPICE reported, not a check of what it offers today. Confirm current arrangements with the hospice.
An older Medicare record for this hospice lists short-term inpatient care as “not provided.” That code may be out of date. Medicare requires certified hospices to make inpatient care available for symptom management and caregiver respite. Ask this hospice how it arranges a bed if symptoms become hard to manage at home.
- 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 2021.
Care Details from Medicare Data
Medicare computes these numbers from claims and required reporting. They show how SOUTHWEST GENERAL HOSPICE compares to hospices nationwide.
21 minutes
of nurse care per routine home care day, on average
That is the 96th percentile among hospices nationally. The national median is about 12 minutes.
33
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 day21 min
Ranks better than about 96% 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 weekends19.3%
Ranks better than about 94% 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 life98.3%
Ranks better than about 88% 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 visits42.2%
Ranks better than about 64% 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 care11.9%
Ranks better than about 17% 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 months23.8%
Ranks better than about 82% 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 care2.4%
Ranks better than about 75% 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)100th 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$6,917 · 3rd 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 64.9% of patients or more. Most hospices score above 90 percent.
- Pain screening99.5%
- Pain assessment99.7%
- Breathing difficulty screening100%
- Breathing difficulty treatment98.7%
- Treatment preferences discussed100%
- Beliefs and values discussed100%
- Bowel care for patients on opioids100%
- Visits in the last days of life64.9%
- All care steps completed98.7%
Conditions of patients in their care
Share of patients by primary diagnosis. Useful if you want a team with experience in a specific condition.
- Cancer34%
- Dementia11%
- Heart and circulatory disease14%
- Lung and respiratory disease15%
- Stroke9%
- Other conditions18%
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Percentiles are computed by CMS across all reporting hospices.
About Southwest General Hospice
Southwest General Hospice provides end of life care for families in Strongsville, Ohio. This non-profit provider has served the community since 1988. They offer expert medical support and comfort focused care for those with a terminal illness. Their team works hard to meet the needs of patients and their loved ones during difficult times. Choosing a local provider helps keep care close to home. The team manages symptoms and provides emotional support throughout the process. They focus on dignity and quality of life for every single patient they serve.
About Southwest General Hospice
This hospice operates as a non-profit organization. They have held Medicare certification for over 35 years. This long history shows a steady commitment to federal standards for hospice care. Non-profit status means they put revenue back into patient services. Families often find comfort in choosing a provider with such a deep history in the local area. The staff follows strict rules set by Medicare to ensure safety and comfort. You should ask about their specific experience with your loved one's needs. Understanding their history helps you feel more sure of your choice. They are a freestanding hospice provider dedicated to this mission. It is a stable option for those in Cuyahoga County.
Quality Performance
What Is Hospice Care Like in Strongsville?
Hospice care in this area focuses on managing pain and keeping patients comfortable at home. Southwest General Hospice employs a team of 24 people to help with these tasks. This team includes 9 registered nurses and 4 licensed practical nurses. They also have one doctor on staff to oversee medical care. Seven volunteers help round out the team to provide extra companionship for patients. Nurses visit the home to check on symptoms and adjust medicine plans as needed. The doctor works with the nurses to ensure the care plan stays on track. Having a team of this size allows for regular check-ins with families. It means someone is always watching over the medical details. You can expect a professional approach to care that values both time and comfort for your loved one.
What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider
You should speak with a few providers before making a final decision. Ask these questions to get the information you need. First, how often will a nurse visit my loved one at home? Second, how does the team handle pain emergencies after regular business hours? Third, what kind of support do you offer for family members who are grieving? And lastly, how do you handle communication with our primary doctor? Getting clear answers helps you understand the process better. Write down the responses so you can compare them later. You are looking for a team that listens and responds to your questions with care. Take your time with these talks. Clarity is key for your peace of mind.
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Capture the life stories and memories of your loved ones to keep them safe for future generations.
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