FRIENDS OF CAROLINE HOSPICE OF BEAUFORT, INC
Provider Information
- Address
- 329 FRIENDS LANE
RIDGELAND, SC 29936 - Ownership Type
- Non-Profit
- Medicare Certified Since
- October 24, 2013
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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) | 6 |
| Physicians | 1 |
| Volunteers | 3 |
20
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 FRIENDS OF CAROLINE HOSPICE OF BEAUFORT, 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
- Both supplied directly and through outside suppliers
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 2022.
Care Details from Medicare Data
Medicare computes these numbers from claims and required reporting. They show how FRIENDS OF CAROLINE HOSPICE OF BEAUFORT, INC compares to hospices nationwide.
24 minutes
of nurse care per routine home care day, on average
That is the 98th percentile among hospices nationally. The national median is about 12 minutes.
30
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 day24 min
Ranks better than about 98% 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 weekends18%
Ranks better than about 92% 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 life95.5%
Ranks better than about 65% 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 visits68.9%
Ranks better than about 27% 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 months26.2%
Ranks better than about 78% 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 care11.9%
Ranks better than about 27% 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 hospice0%
Ranks better than about 55% 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)96th 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$9,985 · 10th 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 71.1% of patients or more. Most hospices score above 90 percent.
- Pain screening97.8%
- Pain assessment93.2%
- Breathing difficulty screening99.4%
- Breathing difficulty treatment89.1%
- Treatment preferences discussed99.4%
- Beliefs and values discussed99.4%
- Bowel care for patients on opioids100%
- Visits in the last days of life76.6%
- 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.
- Cancer42%
- Dementia17%
- Heart and circulatory disease11%
- Lung and respiratory disease6%
- Stroke6%
- Other conditions19%
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, reporting period January 2023 through December 2024. Percentiles are computed by CMS across all reporting hospices.
Compassionate Care in Ridgeland
Friends of Caroline Hospice of Beaufort, Inc serves families in the Ridgeland, South Carolina area. They provide end-of-life care focused on comfort and dignity for patients facing a life-limiting illness. The team works hard to support both the patient and their loved ones during this difficult journey. You will find their office located at 329 Friends Lane. It is a local resource dedicated to helping your family navigate the final stages of life with grace. Choosing the right hospice is a deeply personal decision. This provider offers a clear path toward peace and comfort for those in Beaufort County. They focus on what matters most when time is short. You can reach their team directly at (843) 525-6257 to learn more about how they can assist you today. It is a simple, direct way to get the help you need right now.
About Friends of Caroline Hospice of Beaufort, Inc
This provider operates as a non-profit organization. That is a big deal. It means they put patient care above everything else. They have been Medicare certified since October 24, 2013. That shows a long history of meeting federal standards. Families should know that non-profit hospices often reinvest their money back into patient services. This can lead to better resources for your loved one. The team here understands the local community well. They have served the area for over a decade. When you choose a provider with this much experience, you get a team that has seen it all. They know how to handle the tough moments with a steady hand. You are not just a number to them. You are a neighbor. And in a time of crisis, that human connection is exactly what your family needs to feel supported and heard.
Top Tier Quality Care
Understanding Hospice Care in Ridgeland
Hospice is about living well for as long as possible. It is not about giving up. The goal is to manage pain and symptoms so the patient can stay comfortable at home. In the Ridgeland area, families have access to specialized teams including nurses, doctors, and social workers. These professionals visit you where you live. They bring the care to your doorstep. That is a huge relief for families who are already tired. Most people do not realize that hospice care is fully covered by Medicare for eligible patients. This includes medications, supplies, and equipment related to the illness. You do not have to worry about the cost. You can focus on spending quality time together. The thing is, many families wait too long to call. Starting early makes a big difference in the quality of those final months. Do not wait for a crisis to reach out for help.
What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider
You have a choice in who cares for your loved one. Do not feel rushed. Start by asking these simple questions to find the right fit. First, ask how quickly a nurse can get to your home if an emergency happens at night. You need to know you are not alone after hours. Second, ask how they help with emotional and spiritual needs. The best care looks at the whole person, not just the medical charts. Third, ask about their experience with your loved one's specific illness. A good provider will be honest about what they can do. Finally, ask if they have volunteers who can sit with patients. Sometimes you just need a short break to run errands or rest. That is a small request, but it makes a massive impact on your own well-being. Make sure their answers feel right to you. Trust your gut feeling here.
Preserve Your Family Stories
Your loved one has a lifetime of stories worth saving. We can help you record their memories, values, and life lessons for future generations to cherish.
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