Southwest General Hospice
A hospice in Strongsville, Ohio 44136
18659 Drake Road, Strongsville, Ohio 44136. (440) 816-4012.
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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
- 10of 10 CMS’s Hospice Care Index
Each figure’s source sits beside it, in its section below.
What these words mean4
- 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.
- Condition-level deficiency
- 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.
What did inspectors find?
6 deficiencies cited in the last three years
The middle of the 29 hospices serving ZIP code 44136 had 1.
The last inspection on record was on Apr 9, 2025: a recertification inspection by the state.
1 deficiency at condition level, the more serious of CMS’s two levels
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 2025. Most serious: Condition-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 27, 2025: recertification inspection by the state6 deficiencies
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Hospices that provide inpatient care directly (42 CFR 418.110)
“Based on record review, observation and interview, the facility failed to ensure life safety from fire. See L824”
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Means of Egress - General (42 CFR NFPA 101)
The inspectors’ words, 126 words
“Based on observations and interviews the facility failed to ensure exit accesses are in accordance with the LSC, 2012 Edition Sections 7.1.10.1, 7.7.3.4. and 19.2.2.5.3. This deficient practice had the potential to affect all 10 patients who reside within the facility. Findings include: Observations during the tour with the Director of Maintenance (DM) on 02/24/25 located emergency exit discharges not maintained properly. At 9:16 A.M. the egress discharge north walkway was obstructed by temporary electrical equipment places on the sidewalk by the exterior transfer switch. At 9:33 A.M. both exit doors next to the central meeting area fireplace were found inoperable and unable to open and or function, as designed. Interview with the Director of Maintenance verified the above findings at the time of the observation.”
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Cooking Facilities (42 CFR NFPA 101)
The inspectors’ words, 179 words
“Based on observation and staff interview, the facility failed to ensure kitchen fire suppression system was maintained in accordance with NFPA 101 – 2012 Edition, Section 9.2.3 and NFPA 96 – 2011 Edition Sections 10.2.6, 11.2, 13.2.3; NFPA 17A 2009 Edition 5.6.4; This deficient practice had the potential to affect all 10 patients who reside within the facility. Findings include: Observation on 02/24/25 at 9:35 A.M. during tour of the facility with the Director of Maintenance (DM), noted that the wheeled appliances located under the kitchen suppression systems were not provided with floor marking or chock to align with the nozzles to provide protection by the suppression system when moved for cleaning or service. The movable appliances were not provided with a chain or restraint to prevent over-extension of the gas line. The appliance was a new unit consisting of four burners and a skillet area, however, only one suppression nozzle was in place where each require their own coverage nozzle, which resulted improper fire supression protection. Interview with the DM verified the findings at the time of observation.”
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Sprinkler System - Maintenance and Testing (42 CFR NFPA 101)
The inspectors’ words, 168 words
“Based on observation, record review, and staff interview the facility failed to ensure sprinklers were inspected quarterly to ensure system integrity in accordance with NFPA 101 – 2012 Edition 9.7.5 through 9.7.8 and NFPA 25 – 2011 Edition Section 5.1 to 5.2.1.4. This deficient practice had the potential to affect all 10 patients who reside within the facility. Findings include: Observation on 02/24/25 at 9:29 A.M. in the south mechanical room found a recessed sprinkler head cover that had been attached to the ceiling and unable to drop free in the event of a fire. Further observation at 9:47 A.M. of the sprinkler head spare cabinet identified only four spare sprinkler heads in the sprinkler room supply box and not the required six sprinkler heads, per the applicable code. Record review on 02/24/25 at 11:12 A.M. noted no sprinkler inspection was completed for the first quarter (January, February and March) of 2024. Interview with the Director of Maintenance verified the finding at the time of observation and review.”
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Fire Drills (42 CFR NFPA 101)
The inspectors’ words, 134 words
“Based on review of facility fire drill documentation and staff interview, the facility failed to conduct quarterly fire drills in accordance with NFPA 101-2012 Edition, Section 19.7.1. This deficient practice had the potential to affect all 10 patients who reside within the facility. Findings include: On 02/24/25 at 1:20 P.M., review of the last twelve months of the fire drill documentation with the Director of Maintenance (DM) indicated drills were not complete, as required by the applicable code. The facility was unable to produce a fire drill record for the months of January through May and August through December. No additional documentation was provided at the time survey to validate the fire drills were performed in accordance to the applicable code. Interview with the DM verified the findings at the time of the review.”
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Physical environment (42 CFR 418.110(c))
“Based on record review, observation and interview, the facility failed to ensure life safety from fire. This had the potential to affect all patients. See Life Safety Code Survey Report”
All 6 inspections in the last three years
| Date | Visit | What the record says |
|---|---|---|
| Apr 9, 2025 | Recertification inspection by the state | No deficiencies cited |
| Apr 9, 2025 | Recertification inspection by the state | No deficiencies cited |
| Feb 27, 2025 | Recertification inspection by the state | 2 deficiencies cited |
| Feb 27, 2025 | Recertification inspection by the state | 4 deficiencies cited |
| Oct 31, 2024 | Complaint inspection by the state | No deficiencies cited |
| Jul 11, 2024 | Complaint inspection by the state | No deficiencies cited |
Is it certified?
- Medicare-certified hospice since Aug 30, 1988.
- Ownership: non-profit.
- Cited at 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. in the last three years: it didn’t meet a whole condition of Medicare’s rules.
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): 21 nurse care minutes per routine home care day, 19.3% of skilled nursing minutes at weekends and a visit near death for 98.3% of patients who died.
- Where its patients were cared for (Jan 1, 2024 to Dec 31, 2024): 63% at home, 2% in assisted living, 11% in a nursing facility, 2% in a skilled nursing facility, 1% in a hospital, 22% 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 | 21.0 min |
| Skilled nursing minutes at weekends | 19.3% |
| Visits near death | 98.3% of patients who died |
Who owns it?
- Southwest Community Health System runs it.
- 31 owners or officers are people: William Gary (corporate director); Robert T Krivak (corporate director); Lavonne E Pulliam (corporate director); Christine A Lobas (corporate director); Danelle Villers (managing employee (on the payroll)); Geoffrey P Allman (corporate director); Nicolette E Scott (corporate director); Albert E Matyas (corporate officer); Adrian Maldonado (corporate officer); Paul Robert Hinchey (corporate director); Gregory J Rogers (corporate officer); Shelley A Chornak (corporate director); Darrell Lentz (corporate officer); Cynthia V Schulz (corporate officer); Ken D Semelsberger (corporate director); Joni O Edwards (corporate officer); Jamie Zayed (corporate officer); Ferdinand M Plecha (corporate officer); William A Young (corporate officer); Thomas M Wynne (corporate director); David Sylvan (corporate director); James F Sheppard (corporate director); Wayne E Brassell (corporate director); Brian Monter (corporate director); Paul Tait (corporate director); Theodoros N Teknos (corporate director); Rickey J Shyne, Phd (corporate director); Thomas W Laub (corporate director); Brett C Hazzard (corporate director); John A Alton (corporate officer); Martha F Bauschka (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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Southwest Community Health System | Runs it (operational or managerial control) | 100% | Jul 25, 2008 |
What do families say?
- Family caregivers rate it 4 of 5 in CMS’s survey (Oct 1, 2023 to Sep 30, 2025): 89% 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).
- 98.66% of patients were assessed on all seven of CMS’s measures at the start of care (Oct 1, 2024 to Sep 30, 2025); 64.9% 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 29 hospices CMS’s data show serving patients in ZIP code 44136, where this hospice’s office is, the middle number of deficiencies cited in the last three years was 1; 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 |
|---|---|
| Southwest General Hospice This hospice | 6 |
| Hospice of the Western Reserve, Inc. | 0 |
| Lifecare Hospice | 6 |
| Visting Nurse Association of Cleveland Hospice | 9 |
| Cleveland Clinic Hospice | 6 |
| Heartland Hospice | 21 |
| Compassus - Greater Ohio | 2 |
| Traditions Health | 1 |
| Miracle City Hospice, LLC | 9 |
| Crossroads Hospice of Northeast Ohio, LLC | 0 |
| Holy Family Hospice | 0 |
| Continuum Care 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 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.