Eternal Faith Hospice and Palliative Care
A hospice in Dalton, Georgia 30720
1209 Starr Drive, Dalton, Georgia 30720. (706) 217-1926.
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The short answer
Record last released by CMS on Oct 23, 2026.
- 6 deficiencies cited in the last three years
- Not rated family caregiver rating
- 9of 10 CMS’s Hospice Care Index
Each figure’s source sits beside it, in its section below.
What these words mean2
- 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?
6 deficiencies cited in the last three years
The middle of the 19 hospices serving ZIP code 30720 had 2.
The last inspection on record was on Aug 9, 2024: an initial inspection by The Joint Commission.
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
6 deficiencies in 1 month of the last 36. Last cited Aug 2024. 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 9, 2024: initial inspection by The Joint Commission6 deficiencies
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Content of comprehensive assessment (42 CFR 418.54(c)(7))
“Observed in Record Review. In 2 of 14 patient records reviewed, it was noted by the nurse surveyor that the initial bereavement risk assessment had not been completed as the part of the initial comprehensive assessment as required. For RRHV#2, the initial bereavement risk assessment was completed by the Medical Social Worker (MSW) 28 days after the initial MSW visit. For RRNHV#3, the initial bereavement risk assessment was completed by MSW, 21days after the initial MSW visit. Findings were verified by the Regional Clinical Specialist.”
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Content of plan of care (42 CFR 418.56(c))
The inspectors’ words, 121 words
“Observed in Record Review. In 10 of 10 patient records reviewed, for active patients, the nurse surveyor noted that the goals were not consistently measurable. For example, “Patient/Caregiver will verbalize/demonstrate understanding of managing cardiopulmonary symptoms within constraints of the disease by end of certification period”, and “Pain will be managed at acceptable level to patient throughout hospice stay”. There were minimal short-term goals at start of care to address issues of immediate needs such as understanding medication management, symptom management, pain management, or safety, most time frames for completion were at end of certification period (or were not updated from recertification-to-recertification, RRHV#2) or “throughout hospice stay”. Finding was confirmed by the Administrator, and the Regional Education, Clinical Specialist and Branch Director.”
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Recruiting and retaining (42 CFR 418.78(c))
The inspectors’ words, 125 words
“Observed in Tracer Activities. The Volunteer Coordinator that was employed from second quarter 2021 to first quarter 2024 did not leave any documentation to support her efforts to recruit or retain volunteers during 2003 and the first two months of 2024. Additionally, the organization currently does not have any active volunteers. The active volunteers at the time left when the Volunteer Coordinator did (apparently they were friends). Attempts to hire another Volunteer Coordinator were ongoing after she left. One was hired but only lasted for one month. Another Volunteer Coordinator has been hired and has finished her onboarding. She is now finishing up her orientation and has already recruited six volunteers who are in the process of being onboarded. Finding was verified by the Administrator.”
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Level of activity (42 CFR 418.78(e))
“Observed in Tracer Activities. It was noted by the nurse surveyor that volunteers did not provide at least 5% of the total patient care hours of all paid hospice employees and contract staff for 2023, 2.05% and year to date 2024, 0.06%. Finding was verified by the Administrator. The organization does have a PIP in place. They have hired a new Volunteer Coordinator within the last month. She has experience and has already started the process of recruiting new volunteers.

”
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Authentication (42 CFR 418.104(b))
“Observed in Record Review. In 2 of 14 patient records reviewed, it was noted by the nurse surveyor that entries in the patient record were not appropriately authenticated and dated in accordance with the organization’s policy and currently accepted standards of practice. For RRHV#2, the patient’s Polst Form was signed by the POA but was not signed and dated by the physician. For RRHV#3, the patient’s Polst Form was signed by the physician but not dated. Finding was verified by the Branch Director.”
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Use and mintenance of equipment and supplies (42 CFR 418.106(f)(2))
“Observed in Patient Home. In 1 of 3 home visits conducted, it was noted by the nurse surveyor that for RRHV#3 the backup E-tank was stored in a closed closet under hanging clothes in the back of the closet. Findings were verified by the Branch Manager who was present during the home visit. Upon record review, there was no specific documentation of teaching to support teaching regarding proper oxygen backup cylinder storage to caregiver.”
The one inspection in the last three years
| Date | Visit | What the record says |
|---|---|---|
| Aug 9, 2024 | Initial inspection by The Joint Commission | 6 deficiencies cited |
Is it certified?
- Medicare-certified hospice since Feb 20, 2014.
- Ownership: for-profit.
- 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): 12.7 nurse care minutes per routine home care day, 6.1% of skilled nursing minutes at weekends and a visit near death for 96.4% of patients who died.
- Where its patients were cared for (Jan 1, 2024 to Dec 31, 2024): 75% at home, 9% in assisted living, 11% in a nursing facility, 5% in a skilled nursing facility, 1% elsewhere.
CMS, Hospice Provider Data. Released Aug 26, 2026. Updated quarterly.
| Measure | This provider |
|---|---|
| Nurse care minutes per routine home care day | 12.7 min |
| Skilled nursing minutes at weekends | 6.1% |
| Visits near death | 96.4% of patients who died |
Who owns it?
- Creative Hospice Holdings LLC owns 100% directly since Feb 14, 2013.
- 5 owners or officers are people: Anthony G Captain (managing employee (under contract)); James M Douthitt (corporate officer); Georgette T Robbins (managing employee (on the payroll)); William Dean Alverson (corporate officer); Saundra Cash (managing employee (on the payroll)).
- A private-equity firm is 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lifecare Intermediate II LLC | Owns 5% or more through other companies | 100% | Dec 3, 2025 |
| Lifecare Intermediate I LLC | Owns 5% or more through other companies | 100% | Dec 3, 2025 |
| Lifecare Home Health Holdings LLC | Owns 5% or more through other companies | 100% | Dec 3, 2025 |
| Lifecare Home Health Acquisition LLC | Owns 5% or more through other companies | 100% | Dec 3, 2025 |
| Lifecare Home Health Intermediate Sub LLC | Owns 5% or more through other companies | 100% | Dec 3, 2025 |
| Creative Hospice Care, Inc. | Owns 5% or more through other companies | 100% | Jun 27, 2006 |
| Creative Hospice Holdings LLC | Owns 5% or more directly | 100% | Feb 14, 2013 |
| Lifecare Home Health Partners LLC | Owns 5% or more through other companies | 80.78% | Dec 3, 2025 |
| Zenyth Partners II-A LP | Owns 5% or more through other companies | 50.12% | Dec 3, 2025 |
| Zenyth Partners II LP | Owns 5% or more through other companies | 30.66% | Dec 3, 2025 |
| Z1967 Limited | Owns 5% or more through other companies | 13.32% | Dec 3, 2025 |
| Allstate Insurance Company | Owns 5% or more through other companies | 10.13% | Dec 3, 2025 |
| Zenyth Partners II Gp LLC | Owns 5% or more through other companies | 9.94% | Dec 3, 2025 |
| Thrivent White Rose Fund Xv Fund of Funds, L.P. | Owns 5% or more through other companies | 7.99% | Dec 3, 2025 |
| Alpinvest CAPM Holdings LLC | Owns 5% or more through other companies | 7.99% | Dec 3, 2025 |
| The UCLA Foundation | Owns 5% or more through other companies | 6.66% | Dec 3, 2025 |
What do families say?
- CMS gives no family caregiver survey rating: “The number of cases is too small to report Star Ratings.”
- CMS’s Hospice Care Index: 9 of 10 (Jan 1, 2023 to Dec 31, 2024).
- 100% of patients were assessed on all seven of CMS’s measures at the start of care (Oct 1, 2024 to Sep 30, 2025); 69.4% 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 | Not rated |
| 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 | 9 of 10 |
How does it compare nearby?
- Of the 19 hospices CMS’s data show serving patients in ZIP code 30720, where this hospice’s office is, the middle number of deficiencies cited in the last three years was 2; this one had 6.
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 |
|---|---|
| Hamilton Medical Center- Hospice | 2 |
| Amedisys Hospice of Dalton | 7 |
| Heartlite Hospice | 0 |
| Eternal Faith Hospice and Palliative Care This hospice | 6 |
| Family Hospice | 3 |
| Adoration Hospice | 0 |
| Compassus-North Georgia | 0 |
| Hearth Hospice | 13 |
| Pruitthealth Hospice-Calhoun | 1 |
| Transitions Hospice, Inc. | 0 |
| Affinis Cartersville | 0 |
| Affinity Hospice | 0 |
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.