Niagara Hospice Inc.
A hospice in Lockport, New York 14094
4675 Sunset Drive, Lockport, New York 14094. (716) 439-4417.
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The short answer
Record last released by CMS on Oct 23, 2026.
- 6 deficiencies cited in the last three years
- 4of 5 family caregiver rating
- 9of 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?
6 deficiencies cited in the last three years
The middle of the 3 hospices serving ZIP code 14094 had 6.
The last inspection on record was on Feb 13, 2026: a reaccreditation 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
6 deficiencies in 1 month of the last 36. Last cited Feb 2026. Most serious: Standard-level. The last 3 years, to Nov 5, 2026.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 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 | Nov |
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.
Feb 13, 2026: reaccreditation inspection by the Accreditation Commission for Health Care6 deficiencies
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Content of plan of care (42 CFR 418.56(c)(5))
“Upon patient record review, 2 of 26 (Patients #2,3) did not have evidence the plan of care must include all services necessary for the palliation and management of the terminal illness and related conditions, including equipment and supply needs. Patient #2: This patient had a bed rail. This item was not included on the Plan of Care. Patient #3: This patient had a lift chair and blood glucose machine. These were not included on the Plan of Care.”
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Authentication (42 CFR 418.104(b))
The inspectors’ words, 114 words
“Upon patient client record review, 1 of 26 (Patient #17) 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 #17: This patent had a Certificate of Terminal Illness (CTI) for Benefit Period 1 that was not dated by the Medical Director (signed only). The CTI print date was 2/10/26 (SOC 1/10/26). Patient Verbal CTI was received timely. However, as noted above the CTI print date was greater than 30 days of SOC.”
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N/a (42 CFR 418.110(c)(2))
“Upon observation, there was no evidence the hospice inpatient facility tests their power systems in accordance with NFPA 99 and NFPA 110 including the maintenance and testing of alternate power sources and transfer inspection and testing and maintenance and testing of circuitry. The agency had not completed emergency power generators triennial 4 hour load test per NFPA 110 (2010) 8.4.0 guidelines.”
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N/a (42 CFR 418.110(d))
The inspectors’ words, 157 words
“Upon observation, there is no evidence the interior finish of a facility is provided consistent with the 2012 editions of the LSC of the National Fire Protection Association and NFPA 99. Hospices are exempt from chapter 19.3.6.3.5 “exception number 1 and 2” and 19.3.6.3.6 number 2. If recommended by state survey agency, CMS may waive for periods deemed appropriate, specific provisions of the LSC which, if rigidly applied, would result in unreasonable hardship to the hospice, but only if the waiver would not adversely affect the health and safety of patients. The provisions of the adopted edition of the Life Safety Code do not apply in a State if CMS finds that a fire and safety code imposed by State law adequately protects patients in hospices. Existing Construction During building tour it was observed three ceiling tiles in laundry area were discolored/stained. These tiles remained in place and had not been replaced, indicating deferred maintenance. (NFPA 101-4.6.12.1).”
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N/a (42 CFR 418.110(d))
The inspectors’ words, 112 words
“Upon observation, there was no evidence the building service equipment of a facility is provided consistent with the 2012 editions of the LSC of the National Fire Protection Association and NFPA 99. The provisions of the adopted edition of the Life Safety Code do not apply in a State if CMS finds that a fire and safety code imposed by State law adequately protects patients in hospices. New Construction During building tour, it was observed insulation covering in attic duct space had torn insulation noted, per Section 4.3.3 & 5.3 and 9.2.1Air-conditioning, heating, ventilating (NFPA 90-2012) requires duct systems and coverings (including insulation) to be: Maintained in good condition, continuous and intact.”
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N/a (42 CFR 418.110(d))
The inspectors’ words, 116 words
“Upon observation, there was no evidence the illumination and emergency power of a facility is provided consistent with the 2012 editions of the LSC of the National Fire Protection Association and NFPA 99. The provisions of the adopted edition of the Life Safety Code do not apply in a State if CMS finds that a fire and safety code imposed by State law adequately protects patients in hospices. Existing Construction During building tour, it was observed one missing light diffuser panel in corridor. Section 7.8.1: Lighting in means of egress (corridors, stairs, exits) must provide adequate illumination and not present hazards. A missing cover may create glare, broken glass risk, or insufficient illumination, affecting safe egress.”
All 2 inspections in the last three years
| Date | Visit | What the record says |
|---|---|---|
| Feb 13, 2026 | Reaccreditation inspection by the Accreditation Commission for Health Care | 6 deficiencies cited |
| Feb 13, 2026 | Complaint inspection by the Accreditation Commission for Health Care | No federal deficiencies cited (only the accreditor’s own standards) |
Is it certified?
- Medicare-certified hospice since Aug 31, 1988.
- 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): 15 nurse care minutes per routine home care day, 13.1% of skilled nursing minutes at weekends and a visit near death for 88.6% of patients who died.
- Where its patients were cared for (Jan 1, 2024 to Dec 31, 2024): 97% at home, 2% 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 | 15.0 min |
| Skilled nursing minutes at weekends | 13.1% |
| Visits near death | 88.6% of patients who died |
Who owns it?
- 5 owners or officers are people: John Lomeo (corporate officer, 100%); John Lomeo (managing employee (on the payroll), 100%); Janice Litz (corporate director); Sharon Hewner (corporate director); Dan Mandaville (corporate director).
- 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): 87% rated it 9 or 10 out of 10, and 92% would definitely recommend it.
- CMS’s Hospice Care Index: 9 of 10 (Jan 1, 2023 to Dec 31, 2024).
- 97.37% of patients were assessed on all seven of CMS’s measures at the start of care (Oct 1, 2024 to Sep 30, 2025); 56.7% 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 | 9 of 10 |
How does it compare nearby?
- Of the 3 hospices CMS’s data show serving patients in ZIP code 14094, where this hospice’s office is, the middle number of deficiencies cited in the last three years was 6; 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 |
|---|---|
| Niagara Hospice Inc. This hospice | 6 |
| Hospice Buffalo Inc. | 9 |
| Chautauqua Hospice and Palliative Care | 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 Nov 5, 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 Nov 5, 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 Nov 5, 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 Nov 5, 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 Nov 5, 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 Nov 5, 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 Nov 5, 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.