GUTHRIE HOSPICE
Provider Information
- Address
- 421 TOMAHAWK ROAD
TOWANDA, PA 18848 - Ownership Type
- Non-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 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) | 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 screening99.5%
- Pain assessment98.8%
- Breathing difficulty screening99.2%
- Breathing difficulty treatment100%
- Treatment preferences discussed100%
- Beliefs and values discussed99.5%
- Bowel care for patients on opioids99.4%
- Visits in the last days of life26.8%
- All care steps completed97.3%
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. Percentiles are computed by CMS across all reporting hospices.
Guthrie Hospice in Towanda
Guthrie Hospice offers end of life care for residents in Towanda, Pennsylvania. This provider serves patients throughout Bradford County from their office on Tomahawk Road. They have provided medical and support services to the area since 1992. Medicare certifies this hospice program to provide care for those with terminal conditions. They focus on comfort, dignity, and symptom management for their patients.
About Guthrie Hospice
Guthrie Hospice operates as a non-profit organization. This structure often means the agency puts any extra money back into patient care programs. They have held Medicare certification for over three decades. This certification requires agencies to meet strict federal rules for safety and care standards. These rules ensure that families get consistent support during a difficult time. You should know that non-profit status differs from for-profit models in how they manage their budgets. Choosing a long-standing agency like this one provides a sense of stability for your loved one. Their history in the community shows they have maintained these standards for a long time. It is a good idea to look at how their specific team helps patients on a daily basis.
Quality Performance Summary
What Is Hospice Care Like in Towanda?
Hospice care in this area focuses on a team approach to manage pain and comfort. Guthrie Hospice employs 21 staff members to carry out this work. Their clinical team includes 10 registered nurses and 4 licensed practical nurses who visit patients. Two physicians oversee the medical side of the care plan. They also have 12 volunteers who help with other needs. These volunteers often provide companionship or help with small tasks around the house. This mix of staff ensures that patients have access to medical help and emotional support. The team works together to meet the needs of the patient and the family. Having a local team means they can reach homes in the area quickly when a change in condition happens.
What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider
You should feel empowered to ask questions before picking a hospice agency. Start by asking how quickly a nurse can get to your home if a crisis happens at night. Ask how many patients each nurse usually sees in a single day. This helps you understand how much time they can spend with your loved one. Ask if the agency provides 24-hour phone support with a real person. You might also ask how they coordinate care with your primary doctor. Clear communication prevents confusion about medications or changes in the care plan. Finally, ask about the role of the volunteers and what specific tasks they handle. Write down the answers to compare options. This process helps you find the right fit for your family.
Preserve Your Family Stories
Your loved one has a lifetime of memories to share. Recording these stories can bring comfort to your family for years to come.
Start Your StoryOther Hospice Providers Nearby
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Helpful Guides for Families
Hospice vs Palliative Care: Understanding the Difference
Confused about hospice vs palliative care? We break down the key differences, benefits, and how to choose the right end-of-life care for your loved one.
10 Essential Hospice Questions for Evaluating Providers
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How to Start the Hospice Conversation: A Practical Guide
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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.