SOUTHERN HOSPICE AND PALLIATIVE CARE
Provider Information
- Address
- 1505 SOUTH HIGHWAY 6, SUITE 215
HOUSTON, TX 77077 - Ownership Type
- For-Profit
- Medicare Certified Since
- December 2, 2020
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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) | 2 |
| Volunteers | 1 |
6
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 SOUTHERN HOSPICE AND PALLIATIVE CARE 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 SOUTHERN HOSPICE AND PALLIATIVE CARE compares to hospices nationwide.
8 minutes
of nurse care per routine home care day, on average
That is the 9th percentile among hospices nationally. The national median is about 12 minutes.
19
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 day8 min
Ranks better than about 9% 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 weekends13.9%
Ranks better than about 85% 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 life61.5%
Ranks better than about 5% 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 visits90%
Ranks better than about 5% 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 care0%
Ranks better than about 81% 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 months46.7%
Ranks better than about 24% 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 care0%
Ranks better than about 81% 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)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$19,387 · 57th 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 5 required care steps for new patients here, completed for 97.1% of patients or more. Most hospices score above 90 percent.
- Pain screening97.1%
- Breathing difficulty screening100%
- Treatment preferences discussed100%
- Beliefs and values discussed100%
- All care steps completed97.1%
Conditions of patients in their care
Share of patients by primary diagnosis. Useful if you want a team with experience in a specific condition.
- Dementia51%
- Heart and circulatory disease17%
- Other conditions18%
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Percentiles are computed by CMS across all reporting hospices.
About Southern Hospice and Palliative Care
Southern Hospice and Palliative Care provides end of life support to families in Houston, Texas. They hold accreditation from the Accreditation Commission for Health Care. This group operates as a freestanding hospice provider. They have been certified to serve Medicare patients since December 2020. Getting the right care matters for your loved one. Their team works from their office on South Highway 6 to meet local needs. You can reach them directly at (346) 754-5782 to learn more about their specific services. They focus on providing comfort when families need it most. That is their main goal. Accreditation shows they meet high standards for safety and quality. It gives families peace of mind during a hard time. You should feel comfortable asking them about their specific care plans for your situation.
About the provider
This provider operates as a for-profit hospice agency. They earned Medicare certification in late 2020. Being accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Health Care means they invite outside experts to check their work. These experts look at how the agency handles medical records and patient safety. The goal is to ensure they follow rules set by national health groups. That is a sign of a well-run office. They employ a small staff of six people. This includes two registered nurses who lead the clinical care team. One volunteer also contributes to their mission. A smaller team can offer personal attention to each family. You might find that smaller agencies feel more connected to the patients they serve. It is helpful to understand how their specific staff structure supports the care you expect. They keep their focus on direct patient support in the Harris County area.
Quality of Care
What Is Hospice Care Like in HOUSTON?
Hospice care in Houston focuses on comfort rather than a cure. It brings medical help directly to your home or a nursing facility. You gain a team of experts who manage pain and offer emotional support. This team includes two registered nurses and one volunteer at this location. They work together to make sure your loved one stays comfortable. The goal is to improve quality of life every single day. Most families find that hospice care changes how they handle end of life transitions. It allows for more time together without the stress of hospital visits. You can keep your loved one in a familiar place. This matters a lot to many people. The nurses handle the medical needs while the volunteer provides companionship. It is a team effort. You should ask how they coordinate with your primary doctor to keep everyone on the same page.
What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider
Choosing the right help is a big decision for your family. You should feel empowered to ask direct questions during your first meeting. Start by asking how quickly a nurse can get to your home if an emergency happens at night. Ask about the experience of the staff who will visit you. It is also good to ask how they handle pain management and medication delivery. You need to know if they provide supplies like hospital beds or oxygen. Ask how they support family members who are grieving. Do they offer regular visits from their volunteer? Find out if they have experience with your loved one's specific diagnosis. Clear answers help you make a smart choice for your family. Take your time to get the information you need. You deserve to feel confident in the care plan they propose for your situation.
Preserve your family stories
Every life has a unique story worth keeping for future generations. Use our simple tools to record memories and preserve your family history during this time.
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