COMMUNITY NURSING SERVICES OF NORTH EAST
Provider Information
- Address
- 7 PARK STREET
NORTH EAST, PA 16428 - Ownership Type
- Non-Profit
- Medicare Certified Since
- May 6, 2003
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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) | 1 |
| Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN) | 1 |
| Physicians | 1 |
5
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 NURSING SERVICES OF NORTH EAST 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 2021.
Care Details from Medicare Data
Medicare computes these numbers from claims and required reporting. They show how COMMUNITY NURSING SERVICES OF NORTH EAST compares to hospices nationwide.
12.4 minutes
of nurse care per routine home care day, on average
That is the 52nd percentile among hospices nationally. The national median is about 12 minutes.
10
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 day12.4 min
Ranks better than about 52% 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 weekends8.3%
Ranks better than about 54% 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 life93.1%
Ranks better than about 47% 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 visits26.6%
Ranks better than about 83% 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 care0%
Ranks better than about 81% 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 hospice7.7%
Ranks better than about 4% 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$8,398 · 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 30% 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 life30%
- 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.
- Cancer45%
- Heart and circulatory disease15%
- Other conditions25%
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, reporting period January 2023 through December 2024. Percentiles are computed by CMS across all reporting hospices.
Support for Families in North East
Community Nursing Services of North East provides compassionate hospice care for individuals living in Erie County. Located at 7 Park Street, this team focuses on comfort, dignity, and quality of life for patients near the end of life. They work closely with families to manage symptoms and provide emotional support during a difficult time. Choosing the right hospice partner is a big decision for any family. That is why having a local team in North East, Pennsylvania, can make such a difference. They understand the community and the unique needs of neighbors in this area. Their goal is to help patients stay comfortable in their own homes whenever possible. It is all about giving you more meaningful time together with your loved ones.
About COMMUNITY NURSING SERVICES OF NORTH EAST
This provider operates as a non-profit organization. That is a key detail because non-profits often reinvest their earnings directly back into patient care and community programs. They have been Medicare certified since May 6, 2003. That is over two decades of experience serving the region. When you pick a long-standing provider, you get a team that knows how to handle complex situations. The thing is, hospice is not just about medical care. It is about supporting the whole family unit. You should feel comfortable asking them about their specific team members, like nurses, aides, and social workers. They are there to guide you through the logistics of care so you can focus on being a family. It is a partnership built on trust and years of steady local service.
Quality Performance
Understanding Hospice Care in North East
Hospice care is a special type of support for people facing a life-limiting illness. Many people wait too long to start hospice, but it is meant to provide comfort for months, not just days. In North East, families have access to teams that bring care directly to the patient. This could be at a private home, a nursing facility, or an assisted living center. The main focus is always on pain relief and symptom management. But they also offer spiritual and emotional help for the entire family. You do not have to walk this path alone. The local hospice team acts as a bridge between the doctors and your home life. They handle the equipment, the medications, and the daily worries. This lets you trade stress for peace of mind while staying in your own familiar surroundings.
What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider
Picking a provider can feel overwhelming. Take a deep breath and keep these questions in mind during your first meeting. First, ask how quickly a nurse can get to your home if an emergency happens at night. You need to know that help is just a phone call away. Second, ask how they handle pain and other symptoms. You want a team that is proactive, not just reactive. Third, ask what kind of support they offer to family caregivers. Burnout is real, and you deserve a break sometimes. Finally, ask how they communicate with your regular doctors. You want everyone on the same page. It is also helpful to ask about their experience with your specific health needs. These answers will help you feel more confident in your choice for your loved one.
Preserving Your Family Stories
Your family history is a treasure. We help you capture those important stories and memories during this time to keep them safe for future generations.
Start Your StoryOther Hospice Providers Nearby
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IMMEDIATE HOMECARE AND HOSPICE
Helpful Guides for Families
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.
What Nearly 17,000 Hospice Inspection Reports Reveal
CMS released 16,894 hospice inspection reports from late 2021 to early 2026. See what surveyors cited most, what serious findings mean, and how to use them.
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.