ST LUKE'S HOSPICE
Provider Information
- Address
- 240 UNION STATION PLAZA
BETHLEHEM, PA 18015 - Ownership Type
- Non-Profit
- Medicare Certified Since
- March 30, 1989
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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) | 29 |
| Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN) | 2 |
| Physicians | 2 |
| Volunteers | 120 |
82
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 ST LUKE'S HOSPICE reported, not a check of what it offers today. Confirm current arrangements with the hospice.
- Short-term inpatient care
- Provided directly by this hospice
- 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 2012.
Care Details from Medicare Data
Medicare computes these numbers from claims and required reporting. They show how ST LUKE'S HOSPICE compares to hospices nationwide.
15.2 minutes
of nurse care per routine home care day, on average
That is the 77th percentile among hospices nationally. The national median is about 12 minutes.
207
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 day15.2 min
Ranks better than about 77% 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 weekends11.7%
Ranks better than about 79% 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 life95.4%
Ranks better than about 64% 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 visits41.7%
Ranks better than about 65% 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 care9%
Ranks better than about 33% 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 months32.1%
Ranks better than about 63% 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 care6.4%
Ranks better than about 54% 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 hospice3.2%
Ranks better than about 23% 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)93rd 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$8,533 · 6th 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 54.6% of patients or more. Most hospices score above 90 percent.
- Pain screening100%
- Pain assessment100%
- Breathing difficulty screening100%
- Breathing difficulty treatment100%
- Treatment preferences discussed100%
- Beliefs and values discussed100%
- Bowel care for patients on opioids100%
- Visits in the last days of life54.6%
- All care steps completed100%
Conditions of patients in their care
Share of patients by primary diagnosis. Useful if you want a team with experience in a specific condition.
- Cancer29%
- Dementia16%
- Heart and circulatory disease16%
- Lung and respiratory disease11%
- Stroke6%
- Other conditions23%
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, reporting period January 2023 through December 2024. Percentiles are computed by CMS across all reporting hospices.
About St Luke's Hospice
St Luke's Hospice operates in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. They serve the Lehigh County area with end of life care services. This provider has been certified by Medicare since 1989. They hold accreditation from CHAP. This group works to meet strict standards for safety and patient care quality. Their team includes 29 registered nurses and 2 physicians. They also have 120 volunteers ready to help. That is a large team for a local hospice group. Most families find comfort in knowing their care team has this level of staffing support. It helps ensure that needs are met quickly. They focus on providing care for people who need comfort at home. Their long history shows they are a stable part of the local healthcare community.
Understanding St Luke's Hospice
This provider is a non-profit organization. Non-profit groups often put all their extra money back into patient services. Their accreditation by CHAP serves as an independent review of their work. CHAP looks at how well a provider follows federal rules for hospice care. They check if the agency meets high standards for medical records and staff training. You should know that this review happens on a regular basis. It helps keep the quality of care high for all patients. Because they have been Medicare certified for decades, they have deep experience with federal rules. This history gives families a sense of how the agency manages its daily operations. They have 82 total employees who work to manage symptoms and support families. It is a group built on long experience in the Bethlehem area.
Quality of Care
What Is Hospice Care Like in Bethlehem?
Hospice care in Bethlehem focuses on comfort rather than a cure for illness. The team visits you at home to manage pain and other symptoms. You get a group of experts who work together. This includes nurses, doctors, and many volunteers. They help you stay in your own home for as long as possible. The team makes sure you have the medicine and equipment you need. And they offer emotional support to your whole family. It is a way to make sure every day remains meaningful. They have 29 registered nurses on staff to provide medical care. You can also rely on 2 licensed practical nurses for daily help. Having so many volunteers means you have more people to talk with or help with simple tasks. They want to make life easier for everyone involved in the care plan.
What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider
Finding the right care can feel hard. You should ask clear questions to get the facts you need. First, ask how quickly a nurse can get to your home if an emergency happens at night. Second, ask how the team will help you manage pain or other symptoms. You should also ask how they support family members who are grieving. Ask about their volunteer services and how those people can help your family. Find out how many nurses they have available for your area. It is good to ask if they have staff who can visit on weekends. You need to know who to call when you have questions about medicine. Getting direct answers helps you feel more prepared for the future. Take your time to talk with the staff about your specific concerns.
Preserve Your Family Stories
Your family history is a gift that should be kept safe for the next generation. Start recording your memories today.
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