HospiceScout

PINNACLE HOSPICE, LLC

For-ProfitFreestanding Hospice

Provider Information

Address
2605 NICHOLSON ROAD, SUITE 3220
SEWICKLEY, PA 15143
Ownership Type
For-Profit
Medicare Certified Since
December 7, 2007

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CMS Quality Ratings

Overall Rating

Composite score combining quality measures and patient survey results.

Quality of Care

Based on the CMS Hospice Care Index — 10 operational quality indicators including visits near death, nursing minutes, and care transitions.

Patient Satisfaction

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

Staffing breakdown for PINNACLE HOSPICE, LLC
RoleStaff Count
Registered Nurses (RN)9
Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN)6
Volunteers1

57

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 PINNACLE HOSPICE, LLC 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

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.

Type of inpatient care
Both general inpatient care and respite care
Medical supplies and equipment
Brought in through an outside supplier

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 PINNACLE HOSPICE, LLC compares to hospices nationwide.

12.5 minutes

of nurse care per routine home care day, on average

That is the 53rd percentile among hospices nationally. The national median is about 12 minutes.

84

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 day12.5 min

    Ranks better than about 53% 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 weekends2%

    Ranks better than about 2% 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 life84.1%

    Ranks better than about 18% 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 visits42.4%

    Ranks better than about 64% 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 care2.1%

    Ranks better than about 78% 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 months28.7%

    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 care17%

    Ranks better than about 12% 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 hospice2.1%

    Ranks better than about 36% 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$22,041 · 70th 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 33.9% of patients or more. Most hospices score above 90 percent.
  • Pain screening98.6%
  • Pain assessment92.6%
  • Breathing difficulty screening100%
  • Breathing difficulty treatment95.1%
  • Treatment preferences discussed93.8%
  • Beliefs and values discussed75.8%
  • Bowel care for patients on opioids74.3%
  • Visits in the last days of life33.9%
  • All care steps completed71.1%

Conditions of patients in their care

Share of patients by primary diagnosis. Useful if you want a team with experience in a specific condition.

  • Cancer19%
  • Dementia21%
  • Heart and circulatory disease24%
  • Lung and respiratory disease7%
  • Stroke8%
  • Other conditions21%

Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, reporting period January 2023 through December 2024. Percentiles are computed by CMS across all reporting hospices.

About Pinnacle Hospice

Pinnacle Hospice provides end of life care for residents in Sewickley and the surrounding Allegheny County area. This provider operates as a for-profit hospice organization. They offer support to families who need medical and emotional care during a terminal illness. The team holds a long history of service to the community. They have maintained their Medicare certification since late 2007. Their staff works to meet the needs of each patient under their care. Choosing the right provider is a major decision for your family. This team remains focused on their specific role in medical support.

About PINNACLE HOSPICE, LLC

Pinnacle Hospice operates as a for-profit provider. This status means the business is privately owned rather than run by a non-profit group. They have been certified by Medicare for over fifteen years. This length of time shows they have met federal requirements for a long period. Families should know that Medicare certification is not a guarantee of quality. But it does mean the provider meets baseline safety and care rules set by the government. These rules cover things like staff training and patient rights. You can look at their official quality scores to see how they perform compared to others. These scores reflect how patients and their families feel about the care provided. It is wise to look at these records when you compare options in Pennsylvania.

Quality Performance

This provider holds high marks for their quality of care. Their patient satisfaction scores are also strong. These results come from official reports submitted to federal agencies.

What Is Hospice Care Like in SEWICKLEY?

Hospice care in Sewickley focuses on comfort rather than a cure. It brings medical experts to the place where a patient lives. This often means care happens in a private home or a nursing facility. The team at this location includes 57 total employees. This group features nine registered nurses and six licensed practical nurses. These nurses handle the day to day medical needs of the patients. They also have one volunteer who helps with extra support. Having a mix of nurses helps ensure that care is available when it is needed most. The team works to manage pain and other symptoms. They also offer guidance to family members who are helping their loved ones. It is a team effort designed to make a difficult time as smooth as possible for everyone involved.

What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider

You should gather information before you pick a hospice. Start by asking how quickly a nurse can arrive if there is an emergency at night. Find out who will be the main contact person for your family. Ask how the team handles pain management and what medicines they use. You should also ask how they support family members with grief after a loss. It is good to know if they have staff available on weekends. Ask how they coordinate with the primary doctor of the patient. These questions help you understand how the provider works. Do not be afraid to ask for clarity on anything that seems unclear to you. You deserve to know exactly how the care process will look for your loved one.

Preserve Your Family Stories

Recording memories is a way to honor those you love during this time. We provide tools to help you keep these stories safe for the future.

Learn More

Other Hospice Providers Nearby

Helpful Guides for Families

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.