HOSPICE OF CHARLESTON
Provider Information
- Address
- 4975 LACROSS ROAD, SUITE 200A
NORTH CHARLESTON, SC 29406 - Ownership Type
- For-Profit
- Medicare Certified Since
- January 20, 1988
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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) | 1 |
| Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN) | 0 |
| Volunteers | 19 |
10
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 HOSPICE OF CHARLESTON reported, not a check of what it offers today. Confirm current arrangements with the hospice.
- Short-term inpatient care
- Provided directly by this hospice
- 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 HOSPICE OF CHARLESTON compares to hospices nationwide.
12.4 minutes
of nurse care per routine home care day, on average
That is the 52nd percentile among hospices nationally. The national median is about 12 minutes.
75
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 day12.4 min
Ranks better than about 52% 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 weekends7.9%
Ranks better than about 50% 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 life95.3%
Ranks better than about 64% 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 visits21.8%
Ranks better than about 87% 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 care5.4%
Ranks better than about 57% 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 months37.5%
Ranks better than about 48% 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 care7.1%
Ranks better than about 50% 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 hospice5.4%
Ranks better than about 9% 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)74th 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$19,988 · 61st 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 77.3% of patients or more. Most hospices score above 90 percent.
- Pain screening100%
- Pain assessment100%
- Breathing difficulty screening100%
- Breathing difficulty treatment99.5%
- Treatment preferences discussed100%
- Beliefs and values discussed100%
- Bowel care for patients on opioids100%
- Visits in the last days of life77.3%
- All care steps completed99.6%
Conditions of patients in their care
Share of patients by primary diagnosis. Useful if you want a team with experience in a specific condition.
- Cancer17%
- Dementia17%
- Heart and circulatory disease30%
- Lung and respiratory disease12%
- Stroke12%
- Other conditions13%
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, reporting period January 2023 through December 2024. Percentiles are computed by CMS across all reporting hospices.
Hospice of Charleston
Hospice of Charleston serves families throughout North Charleston and the surrounding area. This freestanding hospice provider offers care designed to support patients during their end of life. They have served the community since 1988. The provider holds accreditation from CHAP, which shows they meet high standards for medical care. Their team includes a registered nurse and nineteen volunteers. They focus on providing comfort and care to those who need it most. Families living in Charleston County can look to this provider for support. It is good to know they have been a part of the local health system for many years.
About Hospice of Charleston
Hospice of Charleston operates as a for-profit hospice provider. Being Medicare certified means they follow strict federal rules for patient care. They have maintained this status since early 1988. The provider also carries CHAP accreditation. This means an outside group checked their work to ensure it meets strict quality benchmarks. Accreditation is a sign that a team works hard to keep their processes safe and effective. With ten employees on staff, they keep their operation focused and small. They rely on a large group of nineteen volunteers to help with patient needs. This staffing mix shows they value personal attention. Families should know that choosing an accredited provider is a smart way to ensure consistent care standards. It provides a clear path for checking how they handle daily operations and patient safety protocols.
Quality Overview
What Is Hospice Care Like in North Charleston?
Hospice care in North Charleston focuses on comfort for the patient and support for the family. Teams typically include doctors, nurses, and aides who visit the patient where they live. This might be a private home or a care facility. The goal is to manage symptoms and pain so the patient can enjoy their time. Hospice of Charleston uses a staff of ten people to provide this support. They balance this with nineteen volunteers who provide extra help. This mix allows for a personal touch during a difficult time. Most care happens in the home, but the team is always ready to answer questions by phone. They work to make sure the patient stays comfortable. The focus stays entirely on the patient's goals and their personal needs every single day.
What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider
Choosing the right team is a big step. You should feel comfortable asking direct questions to find the best fit. Start by asking how quickly a nurse can get to your home if an emergency happens at night. Ask how they handle pain and symptom control for your specific situation. You should also find out how often a volunteer will visit to provide companionship. Ask if they have experience with your loved one's specific illness. Finally, ask what happens if your needs change and you require a different level of care. These questions help you understand how the team works. They also let you see if their values match what your family needs right now. Getting clear answers helps you feel more confident about your choice.
Keep Your Family Stories Alive
Your loved one has a life full of stories and memories. Preserving these moments provides a lasting gift for your children and grandchildren to cherish for years.
Start Preserving MemoriesOther Hospice Providers Nearby
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OPEN ARMS HOSPICE
Helpful Guides for Families
Choosing a Hospice Provider: A 5-Step Quality Guide
Feeling overwhelmed? Use our expert 5-step guide to choosing a hospice provider that offers the compassionate, high-quality care your loved one deserves.
Understanding Hospice Levels of Care: A Family Guide
Navigating end-of-life care is hard. Our guide to understanding hospice levels of care helps you make informed choices for your loved one with confidence.
Starting the End-of-Life Conversation: A Family Guide
Starting the end-of-life conversation is hard. Our guide provides scripts, expert tips, and Medicare insights to help you navigate this talk with confidence.
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.