GUTHRIE HOSPICE
Provider Information
- Address
- 421 TOMAHAWK ROAD
TOWANDA, PA 18848 - Ownership Type
- For-Profit
- Medicare Certified Since
- November 10, 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) | 10 |
| Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN) | 4 |
| Physicians | 2 |
| Volunteers | 12 |
21
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 GUTHRIE HOSPICE 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 GUTHRIE HOSPICE compares to hospices nationwide.
11.8 minutes
of nurse care per routine home care day, on average
That is the 45th percentile among hospices nationally. The national median is about 12 minutes.
57
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 day11.8 min
Ranks better than about 45% 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 weekends4.6%
Ranks better than about 12% 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 life84.4%
Ranks better than about 19% 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 visits19.6%
Ranks better than about 89% 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 care11.9%
Ranks better than about 17% 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 months31%
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 care2.4%
Ranks better than about 75% 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 hospice4.8%
Ranks better than about 12% 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)81st 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$9,623 · 9th 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 26.8% of patients or more. Most hospices score above 90 percent.
- Pain screening99.7%
- Pain assessment97.9%
- Breathing difficulty screening99.4%
- Breathing difficulty treatment100%
- Treatment preferences discussed100%
- Beliefs and values discussed99.7%
- Bowel care for patients on opioids98.7%
- Visits in the last days of life26.8%
- All care steps completed97.2%
Conditions of patients in their care
Share of patients by primary diagnosis. Useful if you want a team with experience in a specific condition.
- Cancer31%
- Dementia10%
- Heart and circulatory disease29%
- Lung and respiratory disease12%
- Stroke4%
- Other conditions14%
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, reporting period January 2023 through December 2024. Percentiles are computed by CMS across all reporting hospices.
Providing Care in Towanda
Guthrie Hospice serves families in Towanda, Pennsylvania, from their office on Tomahawk Road. They offer end-of-life care focused on comfort, dignity, and support for the whole family. Choosing the right hospice is a big decision during a difficult time. Getting the right help can make a world of difference for your loved one. This provider has served the Bradford County area for many years. They are committed to helping patients live their final days with as much peace as possible. Hospice is about more than just medicine; it is about providing a circle of support when you need it most.
About GUTHRIE HOSPICE
Guthrie Hospice has been Medicare certified since November 10, 1992. Being certified means they meet strict federal standards for the care they provide. They operate as a for-profit organization in Bradford County. What does this mean for your family? It means they have a long history of meeting national requirements for hospice care. They focus on managing pain and helping patients stay comfortable in their own homes. The team works hard to meet the needs of both the patient and their loved ones. It is helpful to know they have been doing this work for over thirty years. That is a long time to build trust in a local community. You can feel confident knowing they have a proven track record of service.
High Quality Standards
Understanding Hospice Care in TOWANDA
Hospice care is a special way of helping people who are nearing the end of life. In Towanda, local providers like Guthrie Hospice bring this care directly to where the patient lives. The goal is to manage pain and symptoms so the patient can focus on what matters most. That might be spending time with family or enjoying a favorite hobby. Most people do not realize that hospice can start sooner than you think. You do not have to wait until the very last days to ask for help. Early support can improve the quality of life for everyone involved. It brings a team of nurses, social workers, and volunteers to your door. They help with the physical, emotional, and spiritual needs of the patient. The thing is, hospice is a team effort built around your specific wishes.
What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider
Talking to a hospice team can feel heavy, but it is a good way to find the right fit. Start by asking how they handle pain management. You want to know their plan for keeping your loved one comfortable at all times. Also, ask how quickly they can get a nurse to your home in an emergency. It is important to know who you will talk to on nights or weekends. Another great question is how they support family members during the grieving process. Do they offer counseling or support groups? A good provider will have clear answers for all these questions. Take your time to get the information you need. You are the best judge of what your family requires to feel safe and supported during this journey.
Preserve Your Family's History
Every person has a unique life story that deserves to be remembered. Recording these memories is a beautiful way to honor your loved one and keep their legacy alive for future generations.
Start Preserving StoriesOther 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.
Hospice vs Palliative Care: Understanding the Difference
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Starting Difficult Conversations: A Guide for Families
Struggling with end-of-life talks? Learn the best ways for starting difficult conversations with your aging parents to ensure their wishes are honored today.
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.