PENN HIGHLANDS COMMUNITY NURSES
Provider Information
- Address
- 757 JOHNSONBURG ROAD SUITE 200
SAINT MARYS, PA 15857 - Ownership Type
- Other
- 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 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) | 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 assessment98.8%
- Breathing difficulty screening100%
- Breathing difficulty treatment99.2%
- Treatment preferences discussed100%
- Beliefs and values discussed100%
- Bowel care for patients on opioids100%
- Visits in the last days of life69.1%
- All care steps completed98.9%
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, reporting period January 2023 through December 2024. Percentiles are computed by CMS across all reporting hospices.
Providing Compassionate Care in Saint Marys
Penn Highlands Community Nurses serves the Saint Marys, Pennsylvania community with dedicated end-of-life support. Located at 757 Johnsonburg Road, this team provides essential hospice care for residents throughout Elk County. They focus on comfort, dignity, and quality of life for patients facing a life-limiting illness. Choosing a provider close to home makes a big difference for local families during a difficult season. The team here works to ensure your loved one feels safe and respected every single day.
About PENN HIGHLANDS COMMUNITY NURSES
This agency has been Medicare certified since November 18, 1992. That is over three decades of experience in the hospice field. That kind of longevity matters. It means they have seen it all and know how to support families through the hardest moments. They operate under an 'Other' ownership model, which is common for community-focused health providers. Families should know that this long history reflects a deep commitment to the people of Elk County. When you look for a partner in care, that track record provides a sense of peace. You want a team that understands the local community and has deep roots in the area. Penn Highlands Community Nurses brings that stability to the table when you need it most.
Quality Care Highlights
Understanding Hospice Care in SAINT MARYS
Hospice is not about giving up. It is about choosing to focus on comfort instead of a cure. In Saint Marys, hospice teams help manage pain and offer emotional support for the whole family. Most people think hospice only happens in a hospital, but that is rarely true. The truth is that most care happens right where the patient lives. That could be a private home, an assisted living center, or a nursing facility. The goal is to keep your loved one in a familiar, comforting space. And the team visits regularly to check on symptoms and offer guidance. Here's the thing—hospice care is a benefit provided by Medicare. It covers the medical team, supplies, and medications related to the terminal illness. You don't have to walk this path alone. Local experts are ready to step in and help you navigate these complex days.
What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider
Picking the right hospice team is a big decision for your family. You deserve to feel confident in the care your loved one receives. Start by asking these simple questions during your first meeting. First, ask how quickly a nurse can get to your home if an emergency happens at night or on a weekend. You need to know that help is always available. Second, ask how they handle pain and other symptoms. You want to be sure they have a clear plan for keeping your loved one comfortable. Third, ask what kind of support they offer to family members. Hospice is for the whole family, not just the patient. Finally, ask if they have experience with your loved one’s specific health needs. Good communication is the key to everything. If they cannot answer these questions clearly, keep looking until you find a team that feels like the right fit.
Preserve Your Family’s Precious Stories
Your loved one has a lifetime of wisdom and memories. Capturing these stories now creates a lasting treasure for your family to hold onto for generations to come.
Start Preserving MemoriesOther Hospice Providers Nearby
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Helpful Guides for Families
Hospice at Home vs. Inpatient: Choosing the Right Care
Deciding between hospice at home and inpatient hospice? Discover the pros and cons of each care setting to help you make the right choice for your loved one.
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.
10 Essential Hospice Questions for Evaluating Providers
Evaluating hospice care for a loved one? Use these 10 essential hospice questions to interview providers and ensure your family receives the best possible support.
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.