HospiceScout

HARBOR HOSPICE OF CENTRAL HOUSTON, L.P.

OtherJoint Commission (JCAHO) AccreditedFreestanding Hospice

Provider Information

Address
11980 KIRBY DRIVE SUITE 220
HOUSTON, TX 77045
Ownership Type
Other
Medicare Certified Since
March 14, 2012

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CMS Quality Ratings

Overall Rating

Composite score combining quality measures and patient survey results.

Quality of Care

Based on the CMS Hospice Care Index — 10 operational quality indicators including visits near death, nursing minutes, and care transitions.

Patient Satisfaction

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

Staffing breakdown for HARBOR HOSPICE OF CENTRAL HOUSTON, L.P.
RoleStaff Count
Registered Nurses (RN)6
Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN)2
Physicians2
Volunteers17

23

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 HARBOR HOSPICE OF CENTRAL HOUSTON, L.P. reported, not a check of what it offers today. Confirm current arrangements with the hospice.

Short-term inpatient care
Both provided directly and arranged with other facilities

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.

Type of inpatient care
Both general inpatient care and respite care
Medical supplies and equipment
Brought in through an outside supplier

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 HARBOR HOSPICE OF CENTRAL HOUSTON, L.P. compares to hospices nationwide.

5.6 minutes

of nurse care per routine home care day, on average

That is the 2nd percentile among hospices nationally. The national median is about 12 minutes.

45

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 day5.6 min

    Ranks better than about 2% 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 weekends3.6%

    Ranks better than about 6% 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 life94.2%

    Ranks better than about 55% 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 visits85.8%

    Ranks better than about 8% 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 care20.7%

    Ranks better than about 3% 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 months30.6%

    Ranks better than about 67% 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 care13.5%

    Ranks better than about 22% 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 hospice3.6%

    Ranks better than about 19% 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)100th 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$10,918 · 14th 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 24.7% of patients or more. Most hospices score above 90 percent.
  • Pain screening98.6%
  • Pain assessment97.9%
  • Breathing difficulty screening98.9%
  • Breathing difficulty treatment97.0%
  • Treatment preferences discussed98.6%
  • Beliefs and values discussed93.6%
  • Bowel care for patients on opioids97.7%
  • Visits in the last days of life24.7%
  • All care steps completed89.1%

Conditions of patients in their care

Share of patients by primary diagnosis. Useful if you want a team with experience in a specific condition.

  • Cancer26%
  • Dementia14%
  • Heart and circulatory disease10%
  • Lung and respiratory disease21%
  • Stroke8%
  • Other conditions22%

Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Percentiles are computed by CMS across all reporting hospices.

About Harbor Hospice of Central Houston

Harbor Hospice of Central Houston provides end of life care for families in the Houston, Texas area. This freestanding hospice serves the community from their office on Kirby Drive. They have offered these services since early 2012. The team holds accreditation from the Joint Commission, which confirms they meet specific national standards for safety and care. Choosing a hospice is a big decision for any family. This provider works within Harris County to help patients manage symptoms while staying as comfortable as possible during their final months.

Provider Details

Harbor Hospice of Central Houston operates under an other ownership structure. The agency has maintained Medicare certification for over a decade. Their Joint Commission accreditation is a key detail. This group reviews health care organizations to ensure they follow strict rules for patient safety and quality. It is a rigorous process that goes beyond basic state requirements. Families should know that this accreditation shows a commitment to external oversight. The team consists of 23 staff members who handle daily needs. This includes six registered nurses and two licensed practical nurses. They also work with two physicians to manage medical care plans. You might find it helpful to learn how these specific staff members coordinate with your own family doctors. Their seventeen volunteers also play a role in supporting the daily lives of patients and their loved ones.

Quality Performance Summary

This provider holds an overall rating of two and a half stars. Their quality of care marks are above average, but patient satisfaction survey results fall below the national standard. They maintain independent accreditation to help ensure consistent care standards.

What Is Hospice Care Like in Houston?

Hospice care in Houston focuses on keeping patients comfortable in their own homes or at a care facility. The goal is to manage pain and help families spend meaningful time together. Every agency in the area must follow federal rules to provide these services. A typical hospice team brings together many different experts. At this specific location, the staff includes registered nurses, practical nurses, and physicians. They also rely on volunteers to provide extra company and support. Some people think hospice is only for the final days, but it can last much longer. The team works to create a plan that fits the needs of your loved one. They provide medical equipment and medicine to help keep symptoms under control. You should talk to them about how they handle after hours calls or emergencies. This ensures you know exactly who to reach when you have a sudden question.

What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider

Finding the right care requires asking clear questions. Start by asking how quickly a nurse can get to your home if a crisis happens. You should also ask how the team manages pain and other difficult symptoms. Ask how many patients each nurse usually sees in a single day. This helps you understand how much time they can spend with your family. It is also wise to ask about their experience with your loved one's specific diagnosis. Ask what kind of support they offer to family members who are grieving. Do they provide spiritual support or social workers to help with the emotional side of care? You deserve to know how the agency handles communication and updates. A good provider will answer these questions clearly and with patience. Write down the answers so you can compare your options later on.

Preserve Your Family Stories

Your family has a unique history that deserves to be remembered. Recording these memories is a meaningful way to honor your loved ones during this time.

Start Preserving Memories

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Helpful Guides for Families

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.