ARDENT HOSPICE & PALLIATIVE CARE OF SC, INC
Provider Information
- Address
- 910 MOUNT GILEAD RD
MURRELLS INLET, SC 29576 - Ownership Type
- For-Profit
- Medicare Certified Since
- May 29, 2020
Are you this hospice's administrator? Update your information
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) | 2 |
| Volunteers | 2 |
7
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 ARDENT HOSPICE & PALLIATIVE CARE OF SC, INC 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 2020.
Care Details from Medicare Data
Medicare computes these numbers from claims and required reporting. They show how ARDENT HOSPICE & PALLIATIVE CARE OF SC, INC compares to hospices nationwide.
8.7 minutes
of nurse care per routine home care day, on average
That is the 13th percentile among hospices nationally. The national median is about 12 minutes.
23
patients in care on an average day
A rough measure of size. Smaller can mean more personal. Larger can mean more resources.
Medicare reports this hospice billed for routine home care only. Hospices can also provide continuous home care, inpatient care, and respite care when symptoms are harder to manage. There can be good reasons for this. Ask the provider how they handle a crisis at home.
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 day8.7 min
Ranks better than about 13% 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 weekends5.9%
Ranks better than about 25% 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 life94.8%
Ranks better than about 60% 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 visits53.8%
Ranks better than about 48% 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 care10.3%
Ranks better than about 25% 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 care6.9%
Ranks better than about 51% 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 hospice3.4%
Ranks better than about 21% 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$17,059 · 45th 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 7 required care steps for new patients here, completed for 34.6% of patients or more. Most hospices score above 90 percent.
- Pain screening97.2%
- Pain assessment34.6%
- Breathing difficulty screening98.6%
- Treatment preferences discussed100%
- Beliefs and values discussed94.4%
- Visits in the last days of life66%
- All care steps completed66.7%
Conditions of patients in their care
Share of patients by primary diagnosis. Useful if you want a team with experience in a specific condition.
- Dementia48%
- Heart and circulatory disease19%
- Other conditions19%
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Percentiles are computed by CMS across all reporting hospices.
About Ardent Hospice and Palliative Care of SC
Ardent Hospice and Palliative Care of SC serves families in Murrells Inlet, South Carolina. This provider offers hospice and palliative services to support patients and their loved ones. They hold accreditation from the Accreditation Commission for Health Care. This status shows they meet specific standards for quality and safety. Their team works to provide care that meets the needs of the local community. Choosing a hospice provider is a big step for any family. You deserve clear information about who provides care for your relative. This organization maintains a presence in Georgetown County to assist those who need end of life support. Their team is ready to answer questions about their approach to care. They focus on the comfort of patients in their own homes or care facilities. Getting the right support makes a difference for everyone involved in this transition.
About Ardent Hospice and Palliative Care of SC
This provider operates as a for-profit organization. They have been certified by Medicare since May 2020. Accreditation from the Accreditation Commission for Health Care serves as a mark of quality. This group checks hospice providers to ensure they follow national rules. They look at how a hospice manages medicine and patient records. They also check how the staff supports the families they serve. When a provider earns this status, it means they invited outside experts to review their work. This is a voluntary step that shows they care about their performance. Families should know that this provider maintains a small team of seven employees. This includes two registered nurses and two volunteers who help with daily tasks. Having a smaller team can sometimes lead to more personal attention for each patient. It is a good idea to ask how they assign their staff to new patients.
Quality Overview
What Is Hospice Care Like in Murrells Inlet?
Hospice care in this part of South Carolina focuses on comfort and dignity. The goal is to manage pain and symptoms for those with a terminal illness. Most care happens where the patient lives. This could be a private home or a nursing facility. The team at Ardent Hospice includes seven staff members. This includes two registered nurses and two volunteers. Nurses visit to check on physical health and adjust medications. Volunteers help by sitting with patients or helping with light errands. These workers coordinate with the family to create a plan that fits the patient. The team works to honor the wishes of the person receiving care. They are available to help with emotional support for the family too. Having local staff means they can respond to requests for help in a timely way. This care model keeps the patient in a familiar setting near family.
What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider
You should speak with a few providers before you make a decision. Start by asking how quickly they can begin care after a referral. Speed matters when a patient is in pain. Ask how the staff handles calls during the night or on weekends. You need to know that someone will answer if you have a concern at 3:00 AM. Ask about the specific roles of the nurses and volunteers. You should understand who will visit the home and how often those visits happen. Ask if they provide support for family members after the patient passes away. This is called bereavement support. Many families find this help very useful during the grieving process. Finally, ask what happens if the patient needs care that cannot be managed at home. A good provider will have a clear plan for inpatient stays when they are needed.
Preserve Your Family Stories
Your loved ones have lived full lives with many stories to share. Capture these memories now to keep them safe for future generations to enjoy.
Start Preserving MemoriesOther Hospice Providers Nearby
MEDICAL SERVICES OF AMERICA HOSPICE OF THE LOWCOUNTRY
CMC EMBRACE HOSPICE
PRISMA HEALTH HOSPICE OF THE FOOTHILLS
TRADITIONS HEALTH
FAMILY HOSPICE OF GREENVILLE LLC
HOMESTEAD HOSPICE OF AUGUSTA, LLC
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
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.
How to Spot a Trustworthy Hospice in 2026
A federal fraud crackdown froze new hospice enrollments in 2026. Here's how to verify a hospice is legitimate, Medicare-certified, and safe to trust.
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.