Ohio’s Hospice LifeCare has been named a 2020 Hospice Honors Elite recipient by HEALTHCAREfirst, a leading provider of billing and coding services, CAHPS surveys and advanced analytics. Ohio’s Hospice LifeCare earned the Elite status by scoring above the National Performance Score on all 24 evaluated questions in the Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (CAHPS) Survey.

This prestigious annual review recognizes agencies that continuously provide the highest level of quality care as measured from the caregiver’s point of view. It acknowledges the highest performing agencies by analyzing the performance of the CAHPS hospice survey satisfaction measures.

“We are excited to recognize the 2020 Hospice Honors recipients for their hard work and dedication to providing exceptional care,” said Misty Skinner, executive vice president of services at HEALTHCAREfirst. “I congratulate Ohio’s Hospice LifeCare on its success in achieving this highest of honors.” 

Award criteria were based on Hospice CAHPS survey results for an evaluation period of October 2018 through September 2019. Award recipients were identified by evaluating performance on a set of 24 quality indicator measures. Performance scores were aggregated from all completed surveys and were compared on a question-by-question basis to a National Performance Score calculated from all hospices contained in the HEALTHCAREfirst’s Hospice CAHPS database. 

Hospice Honors recipients include those hospices scoring above the HEALTHCAREfirst National Performance Score on 20 of the evaluated questions. HEALTHCAREfirst holds a special recognition, Hospice Honors Elite, to honor hospices scoring above the National Performance Score on all 24 of the evaluated questions. To learn more about the Hospice CAHPS survey program and the Hospice Honors awards, visit www.healthcarefirst.com.

Kurt Holmes, executive director of Ohio’s Hospice LifeCare, credits the interdisciplinary team of physicians, nurses, personal care specialists, social workers, chaplains, bereavement counseling professionals and volunteers working together to meet the needs of patients and their families. With offices located in Wooster, Millersburg and Ashland, Ohio’s Hospice LifeCare serves patients in Wayne, Holmes, Ashland and Medina Counties. 

“We are committed to our mission of celebrating the lives of those we have the privilege of serving by providing superior care and superior services to each patient and family,” Holmes said. “Our integrated team approach ensures continuous and personal care for each patient, wherever they call home.” 

Ohio’s Hospice LifeCare, a not-for-profit organization established in 1982, is an affiliate of Ohio’s Hospice that serves communities in Wayne, Holmes, Ashland and Medina counties. It embodies the spirit of neighbors caring for neighbors with a commitment to relieve suffering, ease fears, and provide companionship along life’s last journey. Ohio’s Hospice LifeCare addresses patient and family needs wherever the patient calls home. Services also include access to the Stanley C. and Flo K. Gault Inpatient Pavilion, providing short-term patient care to manage acute symptoms, adjust medications, or stabilize patient condition.