Samaritan Healthcare and Hospice
A hospice in Mount Laurel, New Jersey 08054
3906 Church Road, Mount Laurel, New Jersey 08054. (856) 596-1600.
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The short answer
Record last released by CMS on Oct 23, 2026.
- 9 deficiencies cited in the last three years
- 4of 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?
9 deficiencies cited in the last three years
The middle of the 19 hospices serving ZIP code 08054 had 6.
The last inspection on record was on Aug 13, 2026: a reaccreditation 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
9 deficiencies in 1 month of the last 36. Last cited Aug 2026. 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 13, 2026: reaccreditation inspection by The Joint Commission9 deficiencies
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Patient outcome measures (42 CFR 418.54(e)(2))
The inspectors’ words, 204 words
“Observed in Record Review. In 2 of 24 patient records reviewed, it was noted that there were inconsistent documentation in the patient’s medical record One care plan noted that the patient had a tracheostomy, however there was no mention of tracheostomy care or orders for this tracheostomy. Upon further review the primary nurse was called during survey revealed that this tracheostomy was a stoma only and did not require care. However the patient medical record was not updated. Also in that patient’s medical record it was not noted that the patient’s enteral feeding was Osmolyte, this was only mentioned in one IDG note and there was also confusing notations that this feeding was being administered at 75cc/hr without a duration and/ or one and one half cans per day of enteral feeding with out a name . On a second patient the patient record had a notation that he was on Nutren 2.0 with a blank amount and a blank duration and rate was to be administered. on further exploration - information was obtained that the patient was not receiving Nutren or any other enteral feeding, however the medical record was not updated. This was discussed with the Organization’s Informatic Officer and Organization Leadership”
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Content of plan of care (42 CFR 418.56(c))
The inspectors’ words, 120 words
“Observed in Record Review. In 3 of 24 patient records reviewed, it was noted that the plan of care goals were not measurable. On HV# 2 the Goals for Anxiety are listed as Patient and Family will endorse feelings heard and support them through end of life And ADL needs will be met On HV#3 the 2 goals for the Bowel and Bladder System were noted as Bowel and bladder symptoms will be managed by July 1. Also The patient/ caregiver will understand symptoms for optimum bowel function. With HV #4 the goals are Patient will identify effective coping skills and Patient/ Caregiver will verbalize or demonstrate effective adjustive techniques This was discussed the Organization’s informatics RN and Organization Leadership”
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Content of plan of care (42 CFR 418.56(c)(2))
The inspectors’ words, 99 words
“Observed in Record Review. In 1 of 24 patient records reviewed, it was noted there was an incomplete physician’s order for wound care. On RRNHV #16 the order for this patient stated Clean wound for heavy drainage and Apply Ca Alginate to wound . There was no location of the wound and no frequency for the CA Alginate to be applied. There was no specific wound cleansing agent named, or a wound location or a frequency or duration of when the CA Alginate was to be applied . This was discussed with the Organization’s Informatics’ Officer, and Organization Leadership.”
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Prevention (42 CFR 418.60(a))
“Observed in Patient Home. In 1 of 6 home visits conducted, it was noted that the organization Infection Prevention policies were not followed, on a home visit the nurse had an eyeglasses and case in the clean side of her bag where her clean instruments were kept . This is not in keeping with Organization Policy & Procedure entitled Bag Technique for Field Staff . This was discussed with the Organization ‘s Leadership.”
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Supervision of hospice aides (42 CFR 418.76(h)(1)(i))
“Observed in Record Review. In 1 of 19 patient records reviewed, it was noted that home health aide supervision was not completed from 6/8 until 7/24 exceeding the required 14 day required supervision by CMS. This occurred on RRNHV #15 .This was discussed with the Nurse Informatic Officer and the organization Leadership.”
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Content (42 CFR 418.104(a)(3))
“Observed in Record Review. In 2 of 24 patient records reviewed, it was noted in RRNHV# 12 that the RN placed cannabis gummies as a pain management intervention on a visit sheet, but did not update the medication profile. On a second patient record review RRNHV #18 it was noted on a visit sheet that meclizine was being administered for dizziness , however the medication profile was not updated to include meclizine . it was note This was discussed with the Nurse Infomatic Officier and Organization Leadership .”
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Criminal background checks (42 CFR 418.114(d)(1))
“Observed in Document Review. In 1 of 6 contracts reviewed, for outside agencies providing services to the hospice organization, the surveyor observed that the pharmacy contract failed to require criminal background checks, as evidenced by the lack of a stipulation that the outside agency will complete criminal background checks on contracted employees who provide direct patient care or have access to patient records. Discussed with hospice leadership.”
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N/a (42 CFR 418.110(d)(1)(i))
The inspectors’ words, 255 words
“Observed in Building Tour. The Kitchen Pantry EXIT signs do not indicate the correct path of egress. The chevron inserts are currently configured with blank panels, resulting in no directional guidance being displayed. The Observation was confirmed by the Facility Manager. This finding was observed during survey activity, but corrected onsite prior to the surveyor’s departure. The corrective action taken needs to be included in the organization’s Evidence of Standards Compliance submission. Observed in Building Tour. Mechanical Rooms 507 and 508 did not have EXIT signs installed over exterior doors indicating the path of egress. The Observation was confirmed by the Facility Manager. This finding was observed during survey activity, but corrected onsite prior to the surveyor’s departure. The corrective action taken needs to be included in the organization’s Evidence of Standards Compliance submission. Observed in Building Tour. The Mechanical Room’s 1-hour fire/smoke-rated barrier had a penetration in the right-hand upper corner near the entrance door. The wall rating was confirmed by the Virtua Facilities Director. This finding was observed during survey activity, but corrected onsite prior to the surveyor’s departure. The corrective action taken needs to be included in the organization’s Evidence of Standards Compliance submission. Observed in Building Tour. Cable supported by sprinkler pipe was identified above ceiling near the RN Managers office. The Observation was confirmed by the Virtua Facilities Director. This finding was observed during survey activity, but corrected onsite prior to the surveyor’s departure. The corrective action taken needs to be included in the organization’s Evidence of Standards Compliance submission.”
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N/a (42 CFR 418.110(q)(1)(ix))
“Observed in Document Review. Facility Life Safety Plans and completed Basic Building Information (BBI) documentation were not available for review. The Observation was confirmed by the Voorhees Facility Manager. This finding was observed during survey activity, but corrected onsite prior to the surveyor’s departure. The corrective action taken needs to be included in the organization’s Evidence of Standards Compliance submission.”
All 4 inspections in the last three years
| Date | Visit | What the record says |
|---|---|---|
| Aug 13, 2026 | Reaccreditation inspection by The Joint Commission | 9 deficiencies cited |
| Jul 13, 2026 | Complaint inspection by the state | No deficiencies cited |
| Dec 3, 2025 | Complaint inspection by the state | No deficiencies cited |
| Dec 3, 2025 | Complaint inspection by the state | No deficiencies cited |
Is it certified?
- Medicare-certified hospice since Dec 29, 1983.
- Ownership: non-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): 10.2 nurse care minutes per routine home care day, 12.2% of skilled nursing minutes at weekends and a visit near death for 95.2% of patients who died.
- Where its patients were cared for (Jan 1, 2024 to Dec 31, 2024): 69% at home, 12% in assisted living, 16% in a skilled nursing facility, 3% in an inpatient hospice.
CMS, Hospice Provider Data. Released Aug 26, 2026. Updated quarterly.
| Measure | This provider |
|---|---|
| Nurse care minutes per routine home care day | 10.2 min |
| Skilled nursing minutes at weekends | 12.2% |
| Visits near death | 95.2% of patients who died |
Who owns it?
- 6 owners or officers are people: John F Bertagnolli (managing employee (on the payroll)); Phillip W Heath (corporate officer); Gregory Button (corporate officer); Sherri Devita (corporate officer); Sherri Devita (managing employee (on the payroll)); Carmen Rallo (runs it (operational or managerial control)).
- 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.
What do families say?
- Family caregivers rate it 4 of 5 in CMS’s survey (Oct 1, 2023 to Sep 30, 2025): 86% rated it 9 or 10 out of 10, and 90% would definitely recommend it.
- CMS’s Hospice Care Index: 10 of 10 (Jan 1, 2023 to Dec 31, 2024).
- 99.59% of patients were assessed on all seven of CMS’s measures at the start of care (Oct 1, 2024 to Sep 30, 2025); 65.2% 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 | 4 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 19 hospices CMS’s data show serving patients in ZIP code 08054, where this hospice’s office is, the middle number of deficiencies cited in the last three years was 6; this one had 9.
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 |
|---|---|
| Samaritan Healthcare and Hospice This hospice | 9 |
| Caring Hospice of South Jersey | 7 |
| Lighthouse Hospice | 8 |
| Amedisys Hospice | 2 |
| Ascend Hospice | 5 |
| Heartland Hospice | 16 |
| Vitas Healthcare Corporation Atlantic | 4 |
| Grace Healthcare Services LLC | 6 |
| NJ Health Hospice and Palliative Care | 1 |
| Compassus-Greater New Jersey | 0 |
| Serenity Hospice Care | 11 |
| Angelic Hospice | 7 |
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.