VITAS HEALTHCARE OF DOTHAN
Provider Information
- Address
- 1435 WEST MAIN STREET
DOTHAN, AL 36301 - Ownership Type
- For-Profit
- Medicare Certified Since
- December 21, 2000
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CMS Quality Ratings
Composite score combining quality measures and patient survey results.
Based on the CMS Hospice Care Index — 10 operational quality indicators including visits near death, nursing minutes, and care transitions.
CAHPS Hospice Survey — family caregivers rate communication, symptom management, respect, and overall experience.
CMS scores as of May 2026. Quality of Care derived from CMS Hospice Care Index. Patient Satisfaction from the CMS CAHPS Hospice Survey. Overall is the equally-weighted average of both. All source data published by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.
Staffing & Capacity
| Role | Staff Count |
|---|---|
| Registered Nurses (RN) | 32 |
| Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN) | 7 |
| Physicians | 3 |
| Volunteers | 174 |
88
Total Employees
Staffing data as reported to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.
Inpatient Care and Medical Equipment
Hospices report these services to Medicare when they are certified. This is what VITAS HEALTHCARE OF DOTHAN reported, not a check of what it offers today. Confirm current arrangements with the hospice.
- Short-term inpatient care
- Both provided directly and arranged with other facilities
- Type of inpatient care
- Both general inpatient care and respite care
- Medical supplies and equipment
- Brought in through an outside supplier
Short stays in a hospice inpatient unit, hospital, or nursing home for pain or symptoms that cannot be managed where the patient lives, or to give family caregivers a break.
Equipment and supplies tied to the terminal illness and the plan of care, such as a hospital bed, oxygen, wound supplies, or a wheelchair.
Medicare lets hospices provide these services through arrangements with other organizations. Either way, the hospice stays responsible for the covered care in the patient’s plan of care.
Reported by this hospice to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services when it was certified in 2017.
Care Details from Medicare Data
Medicare computes these numbers from claims and required reporting. They show how VITAS HEALTHCARE OF DOTHAN compares to hospices nationwide.
10.5 minutes
of nurse care per routine home care day, on average
That is the 31st percentile among hospices nationally. The national median is about 12 minutes.
97
patients in care on an average day
A rough measure of size. Smaller can mean more personal. Larger can mean more resources.
How this hospice compares nationally
Bars show national standing on measures from the CMS Hospice Care Index. A fuller bar means this hospice does better than more of the hospices CMS tracks.
- Nurse care minutes per home care day10.5 min
Ranks better than about 31% of hospices nationally on this measure.
What this measures
The average minutes of nursing care per day for patients getting routine care at home, based on Medicare claims. More nurse time usually means more hands-on support.
- Skilled nursing on weekends7.6%
Ranks better than about 46% of hospices nationally on this measure.
What this measures
The share of skilled nursing time delivered on Saturdays and Sundays. Symptoms do not wait for weekdays, so weekend coverage matters.
- Nurse visits in the last days of life94.3%
Ranks better than about 56% of hospices nationally on this measure.
What this measures
The share of patients who got nurse visits in their final days of life. This is when families tend to need the most support.
- Gaps in nursing visits59%
Ranks better than about 41% of hospices nationally on this measure.
What this measures
How often patients went more than a week without a nursing visit. Fewer gaps mean steadier attention.
- Patients discharged alive early in care9%
Ranks better than about 33% of hospices nationally on this measure.
What this measures
The share of patients who left hospice alive within the first week of care. A rate of 0% means it did not happen to any of their patients.
- Patients discharged alive after 6 months43.1%
Ranks better than about 32% of hospices nationally on this measure.
What this measures
The share of patients discharged alive after six months or more in hospice care.
- Hospital transfers near the end of care14.9%
Ranks better than about 17% of hospices nationally on this measure.
What this measures
The share of patients who left hospice, spent time in the hospital, then came back to hospice.
- Hospital stays that interrupt hospice2.7%
Ranks better than about 29% of hospices nationally on this measure.
What this measures
The share of patients who left hospice, went to the hospital, and died there soon after.
- Days at higher levels of care (CHC or GIP)91st percentile
What this measures
The share of care days delivered at higher levels, such as continuous home care or inpatient care. Shown only as a national rank because small percentages round to zero.
- Medicare spending per patient$12,031 · 19th percentile
What this measures
What Medicare paid per patient for this hospice's care. Higher or lower spending is not a quality judgment by itself.
Care steps completed at admissionShow detailsMedicare tracked 9 required care steps for new patients here, completed for 61.3% of patients or more. Most hospices score above 90 percent.
- Pain screening96.9%
- Pain assessment97%
- Breathing difficulty screening96.9%
- Breathing difficulty treatment100%
- Treatment preferences discussed96.6%
- Beliefs and values discussed96.6%
- Bowel care for patients on opioids100%
- Visits in the last days of life61.3%
- All care steps completed94.2%
Conditions of patients in their care
Share of patients by primary diagnosis. Useful if you want a team with experience in a specific condition.
- Cancer21%
- Dementia22%
- Heart and circulatory disease22%
- Lung and respiratory disease12%
- Stroke16%
- Other conditions11%
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, reporting period January 2023 through December 2024. Percentiles are computed by CMS across all reporting hospices.
VITAS Healthcare of Dothan
VITAS Healthcare provides hospice services for families in Dothan, Alabama. They operate as a freestanding hospice provider and have held Medicare certification since late 2000. The agency holds accreditation from the Accreditation Commission for Health Care. This designation shows they meet specific standards for patient safety and care quality. They serve the Houston County area with a team focused on end of life support.
About VITAS Healthcare of Dothan
This provider operates as a for-profit organization. They earned their Medicare certification in December 2000. Accreditation from the Accreditation Commission for Health Care is a vital marker for families. This independent group reviews the agency to ensure they meet high standards for health and safety. It proves the team follows strict rules for medical care. The agency employs 88 staff members to support their mission. This includes 32 registered nurses and 7 licensed practical nurses. They also have 3 physicians on staff to oversee medical needs. A large group of 174 volunteers helps them provide extra support to patients. Families should know that these resources aim to keep care consistent and focused on the person receiving it. The agency maintains a stable presence in the local medical community.
Quality Summary
What Is Hospice Care Like in Dothan?
Hospice care in Dothan focuses on comfort rather than a cure. It brings medical support directly to where the patient lives. This often happens in a private home or a care facility. The team works to manage pain and symptoms while supporting the family. You get access to doctors, nurses, and social workers who visit regularly. Registered nurses lead the care plan to ensure comfort remains the top goal. Volunteers also provide companionship. This team approach allows families to spend more time together. Care plans are tailored to meet the specific needs of each person. The goal is to improve the quality of every day. That is the main focus of hospice providers in the region. They work to make sure medical needs are met with compassion and skill.
What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider
Picking a hospice team is a big decision for any family. You should ask questions to find the right fit. Start by asking how the team handles pain management after hours. You should also ask how often a nurse will visit the home. Ask about the specific volunteers who might help with daily tasks. It is also good to know how they handle emergency calls at night. Ask how they coordinate care with your current family doctor. You need to know if their team can meet the specific medical needs of your loved one. These answers will help you feel more prepared. Do not be afraid to ask for clarity on any part of the service. Clear communication makes everything easier for everyone involved.
Preserve Your Family Stories
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