PENN HIGHLANDS COMMUNITY NURSES
Provider Information
- Address
- 1033 TURNPIKE 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 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) | 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 8 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%
- Breathing difficulty treatment100%
- 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. Percentiles are computed by CMS across all reporting hospices.
Penn Highlands Community Nurses
Penn Highlands Community Nurses serves the Clearfield, Pennsylvania area. They provide hospice care to people who need support at the end of life. The organization holds a Medicare certification that dates back to December 1989. This long history shows they have helped the local community for many years. Their team works to meet the needs of those facing serious illness. They offer care in a home setting to keep things comfortable for families. You can find them on Turnpike Avenue. It is a local option for those living in Clearfield County.
About Penn Highlands Community Nurses
This provider operates as a non-profit organization. Non-profit status often means the group focuses on community mission rather than profit. They have been certified by Medicare since 1989. This certification means they follow federal rules for patient care and safety. Families should know that Medicare reviews these agencies on a regular basis. These reviews check how well the agency manages pain and talks with family members. A long history of certification shows a steady track record. That matters when you choose a partner for end of life care. The agency employs ten staff members who work together to support patients. This includes two registered nurses and one physician. They also work with three volunteers who offer extra time and care. Having a clear team structure helps families know who is providing the daily support.
Quality of Care
What Is Hospice Care Like in Clearfield?
Hospice care in Clearfield focuses on comfort instead of seeking a cure. The goal is to improve quality of life for the patient. A team of nurses and doctors visits the home to manage symptoms. They help with pain relief and emotional support for the whole family. At Penn Highlands Community Nurses, the team is small and focused. With two registered nurses and one physician on staff, they provide direct oversight for each patient. They also have three volunteers who can offer companionship. These volunteers often help by sitting with patients or giving caregivers a short break. It is a team approach designed to keep the patient in their own home. You will find that care plans are tailored to meet individual needs. This ensures that every person gets the specific attention they need each day.
What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider
Choosing a hospice provider is a big decision for your family. You should feel free to ask questions until you have clear answers. Start by asking how quickly a nurse can get to your home if an emergency happens at night. Ask how the team handles pain medication changes. It is also good to know how they support family members during the grief process. Ask if they have volunteers who can provide respite time for the primary caregiver. Finally, find out how often a nurse will visit the home each week. You deserve to know exactly how the care will look. A good provider will be happy to answer these questions for you. Do not feel rushed when you talk to them. Take the time you need to make the right choice for your loved one.
Keep Your Family Stories Alive
Your loved one has a life story worth keeping for the future. We provide tools to help you save those memories easily.
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