Amedisys Hospice Care of Cartersville
A hospice in Cartersville, Georgia 30120
11 Charley Harper Drive Suite 170, Cartersville, Georgia 30120. (770) 382-0114.
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The short answer
Record last released by CMS on Oct 23, 2026.
- 7 deficiencies cited in the last three years
- 3of 5 family caregiver rating
- 10of 10 CMS’s Hospice Care Index
Each figure’s source sits beside it, in its section below.
What these words mean3
- Star ratings
- CMS rates some kinds of place from 1 to 5 stars, more stars meaning better on CMS’s own measures for that kind: for a nursing home, its health inspections, staffing and quality measures. A rating is CMS’s summary of those measures; it doesn’t promise good care. Source: CMS, Care Compare and the Five-Star Quality Rating System.
- Inspection (survey)
- A visit by state inspectors, often unannounced, who check a place against the rules it must meet. For nursing homes and other places Medicare pays, CMS calls these visits surveys: a standard survey of a nursing home comes at least every 15 months, and a complaint survey whenever a complaint calls for one. Source: CMS; 42 CFR 488.308.
- Deficiency, citation, violation
- What inspectors write up when a place didn’t meet a rule: the rule, what they saw, and when. CMS calls it a deficiency; states may say citation or violation. It is the inspectors’ finding, not a court’s, and the place is usually asked for a plan to correct it. Source: CMS, statement of deficiencies (Form CMS-2567); each state’s licensing agency.
What did inspectors find?
7 deficiencies cited in the last three years
The middle of the 40 hospices serving ZIP code 30120 had 3.
The last inspection on record was on Aug 14, 2025: an initial inspection by the Accreditation Commission for Health Care.
CMS, QCOR hospice inspection reports. Released Oct 23, 2026. Updated quarterly.
CMS, Hospice ZIP Data. Released Aug 26, 2026. Updated quarterly.
When those deficiencies happened
7 deficiencies in 1 month of the last 36. Last cited Aug 2025. Most serious: Standard-level. The last 3 years, to Oct 27, 2026.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Nov | Dec | ||||||||||
| 2024 | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
| 2025 | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
| 2026 | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct |
Hover or focus a month to read it.
Hearth Record drew this from the dates and levels in the source’s own records.
Each deficiency, as cited
Rule titles as CMS’s inspectors cite them, set in sentence case.
CMS, QCOR hospice inspection reports. Released Oct 23, 2026. Updated quarterly.
Aug 14, 2025: initial inspection by the Accreditation Commission for Health Care7 deficiencies
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Content of comprehensive assessment (42 CFR 418.54(c)(6))
The inspectors’ words, 125 words
“Upon patient record review, 1 of 19 (Patient #13) did not have evidence in the patient record that a review was completed of all prescription and non-prescription medications, including herbal remedies that could affect drug therapy. This review includes, but is not limited to: • Effectiveness of drug therapy • Drug side effects • Actual or potential drug interactions • Duplicate drug therapy • Drug therapy currently associated with laboratory monitoring Patient #13: There is evidence on the medication record for the medication “pharmacy compounded medication” and the dose states “per instruction every 6 hours”. The instructions indicate the “ABH cream”. The medication record did not have the correct medication or dosage listed. (Corrected on site by correcting the ABH documentation on the medication record.)”
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Approach to service delivery (42 CFR 418.56(a)(1))
The inspectors’ words, 167 words
“Upon patient record review, 2 of 14 (Patient #5,6) did not have evidence that a Registered Nurse is designated to ensure continuous assessment of the patient and family’s needs and to coordinate activities with other members of the interdisciplinary group (IDG). The IDG must work together and is responsible for supervision of the care and service for each patient and family. Patient #5: There is evidence in the medical record of a wound order on 7/9/25 for skin tear to left upper arm. The wound was assessed on 7/9/25 and 7/21/25. There was no wound assessment/measurement the week of 7/14/25. Hospice policy WC-001 states: “wounds will be measured a minimum of one time a week”. Patient #6: There is evidence in the medical record of a wound order on 6/28/25 for stage II sacral wound. The wound was assessed on 6/28/25 and 7/8/25. There was no wound assessment/measurement documented again until 8/1/25. Hospice policy WC-001 states: “wounds will be measured a minimum of one time a week”.”
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Review of the plan of care (42 CFR 418.56(d))
The inspectors’ words, 188 words
“Upon patient record review, 3 of 19 (Patient #2,5,10) did not have evidence that a revised plan of care includes information from the patient’s updated comprehensive assessment and must note the patient’s progress towards outcome/goals from the plan of care. Patient #2: There is evidence in the medical record on 7/17/25 the patient was experiencing agitation and started on Depakote 500 mg BID for agitation. The plan of care was not updated to include problem/interventions/goals for agitation. (Corrected on site by adding Agitation to the plan of care.) Patient #5: There is evidence in the medical record on 6/9/25 the patient requested to decline further chaplain services. The chaplain did not update the plan of care to delete chaplain specific intervention and goals. (Corrected on site by deleting chaplain specific interventions and goals on the plan of care.) Patient #10: There is evidence in the medical record on 6/2/25 the patient requested to decline further chaplain services. The chaplain did not update the plan of care to delete chaplain specific intervention and goals. (Corrected on site by deleting chaplain specific interventions and goals on the plan of care.)”
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Coordination of services (42 CFR 418.56(e)(2))
The inspectors’ words, 99 words
“Upon patient record review, 1 of 14 (Patient #11) did not have evidence that the IDG ensures that the care and services are provided in accordance with the plan of care. Patient #11: There is evidence in the medical record of an order on 6/10/25 for Oxygen 4L via NC as needed for shortness of breath. On 7/11/25 the nursing visit narrative documents patient is using “O2 5/L NC”. On 7/30/25 the vital signs indicate “continues on oxygen 3L at rest”. (Corrected on site by getting an order for Oxygen 3-5L via NC as needed for shortness of breath.)”
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Level of activity (42 CFR 418.78(e))
“Upon observation, there was no evidence the annual report documents the use of volunteers providing day to day administrative and/or direct patient care services in an amount that, at a minimum, equals 5 percent of the total patient care hours of all paid hospice employees and contract personnel. No evidence that the agency utilized volunteers for at least 5% of the total patient care hours in 2024. The total usage of volunteers for 2024 was 1.4%”
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Governing body and administrator (42 CFR 418.100(b))
“Upon personnel record review, 1 of 13 (Personnel # 2) did not have evidence the alternate administrator’s personnel record verifies that: • The employee has appropriate education and experience requirements • There is a signed job description for this role • The employee has been orientated to this role Personnel #2: There is no evidence in the personnel file of an alternate administrator’s signed job description.”
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Authentication (42 CFR 418.104(b))
“Upon patient record review, 1 of 19 (Patient #10) did not have evidence that all entries are legible, clear, complete, and appropriately authenticated and dated in accordance with the organizations policies and procedures and currently accepted standards of practice. Electronic signatures are acceptable as long the hospice is following appropriate safeguards to prevent unauthorized access to the patient records. Patient #10: There is evidence in the medical record on 7/9/25 and 7/23/25 the RN documented a supervisory visit for the LPN. The patient does not have an LPN.”
All 2 inspections in the last three years
| Date | Visit | What the record says |
|---|---|---|
| Aug 14, 2025 | Initial inspection by the Accreditation Commission for Health Care | 7 deficiencies cited |
| Jul 30, 2025 | Recertification inspection by the state | No deficiencies cited |
Is it certified?
- Medicare-certified hospice since Nov 5, 2009.
- Ownership: other.
- No For hospices, home health agencies, hospitals and dialysis facilities, CMS writes deficiencies at two levels. Standard is the usual one; condition-level is the more serious, when a problem is serious enough that the provider doesn’t meet a whole condition of taking part in Medicare. Source: CMS, State Operations Manual. deficiency or CMS’s most serious finding: the place’s failure to meet a rule caused, or was likely to cause, serious injury, harm, impairment or death to someone in its care. Source: CMS; 42 CFR 489.3. on record in the last three years.
CMS, Hospice General Information. Released Aug 26, 2026. Updated quarterly.
CMS, QCOR hospice inspection reports. Released Oct 23, 2026. Updated quarterly.
Has anything been proven against it?
- CMS doesn’t publish fines or other penalties for hospices, so none are shown.
- 0 deficiencies cited in the last three years came from inspections that included a complaint investigation.
CMS, QCOR hospice inspection reports. Released Oct 23, 2026. Updated quarterly.
Who does the caring?
- From Medicare claims (Jan 1, 2023 to Dec 31, 2024): 12.8 nurse care minutes per routine home care day, 9.5% of skilled nursing minutes at weekends and a visit near death for 93.3% of patients who died.
- Where its patients were cared for (Jan 1, 2024 to Dec 31, 2024): 71% at home, 24% in assisted living, 5% in a nursing facility.
CMS, Hospice Provider Data. Released Aug 26, 2026. Updated quarterly.
| Measure | This provider |
|---|---|
| Nurse care minutes per routine home care day | 12.8 min |
| Skilled nursing minutes at weekends | 9.5% |
| Visits near death | 93.3% of patients who died |
Who owns it?
- Amedisys Holding LLC owns 100% directly since Oct 2, 2009.
- 11 owners or officers are people: Jeffrey D Esslinger (managing employee (under contract)); Marcus Macip (corporate officer); Kimberly Seymour (corporate officer); Bridget R Kaigler (managing employee (on the payroll)); Bridget R Kaigler (runs it (operational or managerial control)); Joni Babineaux (corporate officer); Peter Psenicka (managing employee (on the payroll)); Kristina J Braud (managing employee (on the payroll)); Kristina J Braud (runs it (operational or managerial control)); Jeanne Shingleton (corporate officer); Joshua Lee Proffitt (corporate officer).
- No private-equity firm among the owners CMS lists.
- No real-estate investment trust among the owners CMS lists.
CMS, Hospice All Owners and Hospice Enrollments. Released Sep 29, 2026. Updated quarterly.
| Organisation | Role | Share | Since |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unitedhealth Group Incorporated | Owns 5% or more through other companies | 100% | Aug 14, 2025 |
| Amedisys Inc. | Owns 5% or more through other companies | 100% | Oct 2, 2009 |
| Amedisys Holding LLC | Owns 5% or more directly | 100% | Oct 2, 2009 |
What do families say?
- Family caregivers rate it 3 of 5 in CMS’s survey (Oct 1, 2023 to Sep 30, 2025): 81% rated it 9 or 10 out of 10, and 82% would definitely recommend it.
- CMS’s Hospice Care Index: 10 of 10 (Jan 1, 2023 to Dec 31, 2024).
- 97.93% of patients were assessed on all seven of CMS’s measures at the start of care (Oct 1, 2024 to Sep 30, 2025); 80.2% had visits from a nurse or social worker on at least 2 of their last 3 days (Jan 1, 2023 to Dec 31, 2024).
CMS, CAHPS Hospice Survey and Hospice Provider Data. Released Aug 26, 2026. Updated quarterly.
| Measure | Rating |
|---|---|
| Family caregiver survey ratingCMS star rating from its survey of patients’ family caregivers, 1 to 5 | 3 of 5 |
| Hospice Care IndexCMS’s Hospice Care Index, 0 to 10 (higher is better): a point for each of ten measures from Medicare claims on which the hospice meets CMS’s threshold | 10 of 10 |
How does it compare nearby?
- Of the 40 hospices CMS’s data show serving patients in ZIP code 30120, where this hospice’s office is, the middle number of deficiencies cited in the last three years was 3; this one had 7.
CMS, Hospice ZIP Data. Released Aug 26, 2026. Updated quarterly.
CMS, QCOR hospice inspection reports. Released Oct 23, 2026. Updated quarterly.
| Place | Deficiencies, 3 years |
|---|---|
| Affinis Cartersville | 0 |
| Amedisys Hospice Care of Cartersville This hospice | 7 |
| Willowbrook Hospice, LLC | 2 |
| Eternal Faith Hospice and Palliative Care | 6 |
| Compassus-North Georgia | 0 |
| Wellstar Community Hospice | 13 |
| Hearth Hospice | 13 |
| Atrium Health Floyd Medical Center Heyman Hospice Care | 14 |
| Pruitthealth Hospice and Palliative Care-Atlanta | 0 |
| Pruitthealth Hospice-Calhoun | 1 |
| Vitas Healthcare Corporation of Georgia | 10 |
| Heritage Hospice, Inc. | 1 |
What the record doesn’t say
- CMS doesn’t publish fines or other penalties for hospices, so none are shown.
- Only complaints that led to a citation appear; complaints that didn’t aren’t published.
- CMS ended its Special Focus Program for hospices with serious problems on Feb 14, 2025, so no hospice is marked as one.
- Hospice quality measures have a gap from October 2025: CMS replaced its patient assessment then, and public results from the new one (HOPE) are expected around November 2027.
Sources
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Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, Hospice General Information (yc9t-dgbk).
Released Aug 26, 2026 and checked Oct 27, 2026. Updated quarterly. Public domain (U.S. Government work).
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Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, Hospice Provider Data (252m-zfp9).
Released Aug 26, 2026 and checked Oct 27, 2026. Updated quarterly. Public domain (U.S. Government work).
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Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, CAHPS Hospice Survey (gxki-hrr8).
Released Aug 26, 2026 and checked Oct 27, 2026. Updated quarterly. Public domain (U.S. Government work).
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Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, QCOR hospice inspection reports (Hospice Survey Reports - Oct 2021 through Sep 2026.xlsx).
Released Oct 23, 2026 and checked Oct 27, 2026. Updated quarterly. Public domain (U.S. Government work).
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Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, Hospice All Owners (e983965e-1603-4cb8-82b5-c40090e380d1).
Released Sep 29, 2026 and checked Oct 27, 2026. Updated quarterly. Public domain (U.S. Government work).
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Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, Hospice Enrollments (25704213-e833-4b8b-9dbc-58dd17149209).
Released Sep 29, 2026 and checked Oct 27, 2026. Updated quarterly. Public domain (U.S. Government work).
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Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, Hospice ZIP Data (95rg-2usp).
Released Aug 26, 2026 and checked Oct 27, 2026. Updated quarterly. Public domain (U.S. Government work).
If you believe something here is wrong, a correction starts with the agency whose record this copies: CMS. CMS’s own record is on Care Compare. If Hearth Record copied something wrongly, it will fix it and log the correction publicly, with its date: how corrections work.
This copy of the record was made on Oct 27, 2026.
From the hospice
The public record above comes first. Anything the hospice adds will appear here, below it, and say who wrote it.
Replies
None. Replies aren’t open yet. When they open, the hospice will be able to answer any finding for free, and the reply will show beside that finding, unedited and dated.
Paid listing
None. Paid listings aren’t open yet. When they open, anything paid for will say “Paid by the hospice”, and paying will never change a finding, a rating or the order of results.