COMMONHEART HOSPICE
Provider Information
- Address
- N16 W23217 STONE RIDGE DR SUITE 350
WAUKESHA, WI 53188 - Ownership Type
- Non-Profit
- Medicare Certified Since
- October 19, 2006
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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) | 161 |
183
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 COMMONHEART HOSPICE 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
- Supplied directly by this hospice
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 COMMONHEART HOSPICE compares to hospices nationwide.
20 minutes
of nurse care per routine home care day, on average
That is the 95th percentile among hospices nationally. The national median is about 12 minutes.
109
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 day20 min
Ranks better than about 95% 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 life97.1%
Ranks better than about 80% 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 visits29.8%
Ranks better than about 79% 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 care6.7%
Ranks better than about 47% 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 months45.6%
Ranks better than about 26% 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 care11.1%
Ranks better than about 30% 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$18,176 · 52nd 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 82% of patients or more. Most hospices score above 90 percent.
- Pain screening96.8%
- Pain assessment100%
- Breathing difficulty screening99.7%
- Breathing difficulty treatment96.2%
- Treatment preferences discussed100%
- Beliefs and values discussed100%
- Bowel care for patients on opioids100%
- Visits in the last days of life82%
- All care steps completed95.3%
Conditions of patients in their care
Share of patients by primary diagnosis. Useful if you want a team with experience in a specific condition.
- Cancer15%
- Dementia28%
- Heart and circulatory disease17%
- Lung and respiratory disease8%
- Stroke4%
- Other conditions32%
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, reporting period January 2023 through December 2024. Percentiles are computed by CMS across all reporting hospices.
Commonheart Hospice
Commonheart Hospice provides end of life care for families in Waukesha, Wisconsin. They operate as a non-profit organization serving this community since 2006. This freestanding hospice team focuses on comfort and support for patients during their final months. They have been certified by Medicare for nearly two decades. The team is large, with a staff of 183 people available to help local families. This includes a group of 161 registered nurses who manage daily care needs. Finding the right support is a big step. Their office on Stone Ridge Drive serves as the hub for their local efforts. They work to meet the needs of those facing serious illness in the Waukesha area. You can reach them at (920) 206-6202 to learn more about their specific services and availability today.
About Commonheart Hospice
Commonheart Hospice functions as a non-profit provider. This means they reinvest their earnings back into their programs and services. They have held Medicare certification since October 2006. Being a freestanding hospice means they focus solely on end of life care rather than being part of a larger hospital system. They employ 161 registered nurses. That is a high number of nurses for a single agency. This staffing level suggests a strong focus on clinical care for every patient. Families should know that non-profit status often changes how agencies manage their resources. It does not guarantee specific results but shows their legal structure. You should check their current state inspection reports to see how they handle daily operations. Their long history of Medicare certification shows they have met federal standards for a long time. It is a stable choice for those who want a provider with deep roots in the local area.
Quality Overview
What Is Hospice Care Like in WAUKESHA?
Hospice care in Waukesha focuses on making patients comfortable at home or in care facilities. The goal is to manage pain and provide emotional support for the whole family. Local teams are usually made up of doctors, nurses, social workers, and aides. At Commonheart Hospice, the team includes 161 registered nurses. These nurses handle the clinical side of care. They visit the home to check on symptoms and adjust medicine as needed. Other staff members provide help with personal care and emotional support. The care plan changes as the patient needs change. Many families find that having a large team helps them feel secure. The nurses act as the eyes and ears for the doctor. They ensure that patients stay comfortable in their own beds. This local support system is designed to keep families together during a difficult time. It is about quality of life above everything else.
What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider
Choosing a hospice provider is a serious decision for your family. Start by asking how many nurses they have on staff. You want to know if they have enough people to visit when you need them most. Ask how they handle emergencies after business hours. A good provider will have a nurse ready to help at any time of the night. Ask about the specific types of support they offer for family members. Do they have volunteers who can sit with the patient? Do they offer grief support groups after the patient passes away? Ask them to explain their recent quality scores if you feel confused. A transparent agency will be happy to talk about their strengths and weaknesses. Be sure to ask how they coordinate care with your primary doctor. You want everyone on the same page. Take notes during each call to help you compare your options later.
Preserve Your Family Stories
Your loved one has a unique life story that deserves to be remembered. Start capturing those memories today to create a lasting gift for future generations.
Start Preserving MemoriesOther Hospice Providers Nearby
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ST CROIX HOSPICE LA CROSSE
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