PENN HIGHLANDS COMMUNITY NURSES
Provider Information
- Address
- 757 JOHNSONBURG ROAD SUITE 200
SAINT MARYS, PA 15857 - Ownership Type
- Non-Profit
- Medicare Certified Since
- November 18, 1992
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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) | 7 |
| Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN) | 2 |
| Physicians | 1 |
| Volunteers | 27 |
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 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.
19.2 minutes
of nurse care per routine home care day, on average
That is the 94th percentile among hospices nationally. The national median is about 12 minutes.
63
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 day19.2 min
Ranks better than about 94% 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 weekends5.5%
Ranks better than about 20% 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 life93.8%
Ranks better than about 52% 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 visits9.4%
Ranks better than about 96% 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 care13.2%
Ranks better than about 13% 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 months28.9%
Ranks better than about 72% 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 care7.9%
Ranks better than about 46% 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 hospice10.5%
Ranks better than about 1% 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$11,919 · 18th 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 69.1% of patients or more. Most hospices score above 90 percent.
- Pain screening100%
- Pain assessment98.3%
- Breathing difficulty screening100%
- Breathing difficulty treatment99.2%
- Treatment preferences discussed100%
- Beliefs and values discussed100%
- Bowel care for patients on opioids98.6%
- Visits in the last days of life69.1%
- All care steps completed98.6%
Conditions of patients in their care
Share of patients by primary diagnosis. Useful if you want a team with experience in a specific condition.
- Cancer32%
- Dementia20%
- Heart and circulatory disease23%
- Lung and respiratory disease7%
- Other conditions16%
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Percentiles are computed by CMS across all reporting hospices.
Penn Highlands Community Nurses
Penn Highlands Community Nurses provides hospice care for families in Saint Marys, Pennsylvania. This local team works from their office on Johnsonburg Road to support patients with serious illnesses. They have offered these services to the community since 1992. Their mission focuses on comfort and care for those who need it most. They hold a non-profit status, which means they reinvest their earnings back into their patient services. Families often choose them for their long history of serving Elk County residents. They maintain strong quality marks from federal reviewers. This is a solid sign of the care they provide to their patients every day. Their team includes a mix of medical staff and volunteers ready to help your family.
About Penn Highlands Community Nurses
Penn Highlands Community Nurses operates as a non-profit organization. This structure often helps a provider focus on the needs of the patient rather than on profits. They earned their Medicare certification in 1992. This shows they have met federal standards for over thirty years. Certification matters because it proves they follow strict rules for safety and care quality. The agency manages a team of 24 employees. This group includes 7 registered nurses and 2 licensed practical nurses. A physician also works with the team to guide medical care. They support their staff with 27 volunteers who assist with patient needs. Having a large volunteer base is a positive sign for any hospice agency. It shows they value community support and extra help for families. You should always check if a provider meets your specific needs before you sign up for their services.
Quality Performance
What Is Hospice Care Like in Saint Marys?
Hospice care in Saint Marys focuses on the comfort of the patient. It aims to improve quality of life during a difficult time. The team at Penn Highlands Community Nurses brings care directly to the home. This allows patients to stay in a familiar place with their loved ones. The staff is made up of trained medical professionals and volunteers. They provide 7 registered nurses and 2 licensed practical nurses to handle medical tasks. A physician oversees the plan of care to ensure it meets the patient's needs. Volunteers offer extra help for families who might need a break. They provide a support system that covers both physical and emotional needs. The goal is to keep the patient pain-free and comfortable. Every plan is unique to the person receiving care. Families can expect a team that works together to maintain a peaceful environment.
What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider
Choosing a hospice provider is a big decision for any family. You should feel comfortable with the team you pick. Start by asking how quickly a nurse can arrive if an emergency happens at night. You should also ask about the role of the volunteers in your care plan. Ask how they coordinate care with the patient's main doctor. It is also good to ask how they handle pain management for their patients. Make sure you understand how the agency communicates with your family. You deserve to have all your questions answered before care begins. Take your time to talk with the staff about your concerns. A good provider will be happy to explain their process clearly and openly. You are the partner in this care process.
Preserve Your Family Stories
Your family history is a gift. We offer tools to help you record memories and share stories during this time.
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Some stories are worth writing down
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