PENN HIGHLANDS COMMUNITY NURSES
Provider Information
- Address
- 504 PARK AVENUE
CLEARFIELD, PA 16830 - Ownership Type
- Non-Profit
- Medicare Certified Since
- December 7, 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) | 2 |
| Physicians | 1 |
| Volunteers | 3 |
10
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 PENN HIGHLANDS COMMUNITY NURSES 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 2022.
Care Details from Medicare Data
Medicare computes these numbers from claims and required reporting. They show how PENN HIGHLANDS COMMUNITY NURSES compares to hospices nationwide.
15.6 minutes
of nurse care per routine home care day, on average
That is the 80th percentile among hospices nationally. The national median is about 12 minutes.
15
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 day15.6 min
Ranks better than about 80% 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 weekends3.6%
Ranks better than about 6% 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 life96.5%
Ranks better than about 75% 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 visits21.2%
Ranks better than about 88% 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 care36.4%
Ranks better than about 1% 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 months0%
Ranks better than about 97% 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 hospice9.1%
Ranks better than about 2% 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)52nd 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$11,532 · 16th 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 7 required care steps for new patients here, completed for 65.3% of patients or more. Most hospices score above 90 percent.
- Pain screening100%
- Pain assessment100%
- Breathing difficulty screening100%
- Treatment preferences discussed100%
- Beliefs and values discussed100%
- Visits in the last days of life65.3%
- 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.
- Cancer33%
- Dementia15%
- Heart and circulatory disease26%
- Other conditions18%
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, reporting period January 2023 through December 2024. Percentiles are computed by CMS across all reporting hospices.
Penn Highlands Community Nurses
Penn Highlands Community Nurses serves patients and their families in Clearfield, Pennsylvania. They provide hospice care to help those with life-limiting illnesses. The team works hard to manage pain and improve daily comfort. This provider has been certified by Medicare since December 1989. Their long history shows a commitment to the local community. They offer medical support and personal care during a difficult time. Families in Clearfield can expect a professional approach to end-of-life care. Choosing the right support is a big decision. This agency operates as a non-profit organization in Clearfield County. They aim to meet the needs of every patient they serve. You can contact their team directly at their Park Avenue office to learn more about their services. They are ready to answer your questions and discuss your needs today.
About Penn Highlands Community Nurses
Penn Highlands Community Nurses operates as a non-profit organization. This means they put their focus on patient care rather than profits. They have held Medicare certification for over three decades. This long-term status shows they follow national rules for safety. You should know that non-profit agencies often reinvest funds back into their staff and patient resources. Their team consists of ten employees who work together to provide care. This includes two registered nurses and one physician. They also rely on three volunteers to help patients. Having a mix of medical staff and volunteers helps provide a well-rounded experience. You can reach out to them at (814) 768-2012 to ask how their specific team structure can help your family member. It is helpful to understand how their staff uses these resources. This organization remains a stable part of the Clearfield healthcare scene for many years.
Quality Overview
What Is Hospice Care Like in Clearfield?
Hospice care in Clearfield focuses on comfort rather than seeking a cure. Patients usually receive care in their own homes. The team visits you to manage pain and help with daily tasks. Nurses and doctors work together to create a plan that fits your goals. In this area, care teams often include registered nurses and physicians. They coordinate to make sure every symptom is addressed quickly. Volunteers also play a role by offering companionship to patients and their families. This support system helps keep the patient comfortable in a familiar place. It is a team effort to make life better. You can expect regular check-ins to monitor changes in health. This approach helps families focus on spending time together. Reach out to local providers to see how their specific team can assist your loved one during this time. They are there to help with both physical and emotional needs.
What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider
Picking the right hospice requires asking the right questions. You need to feel confident in the team you choose. Start by asking how quickly a nurse can get to your home in an emergency. It is also good to ask how they handle pain management during the night or on weekends. You should ask how many visits a nurse will make each week. Ask them how they include volunteers in the care plan. Find out how the team communicates with your family doctor. It is smart to ask about their experience with your specific health needs. Finally, ask what happens if your needs change over time. These questions will help you see if their services match what your family needs. Take your time to get clear answers. A good provider will be happy to explain their process to you. This helps everyone stay on the same page.
Preserve Your Family Stories
Capture the life lessons and memories of your loved ones before they are gone. Creating a lasting record is a gift for future generations.
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Helpful Guides for Families
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A Complete End of Life Planning Checklist for Families
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Some stories are worth writing down
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