ARDENT HOSPICE OF THE VALLEY
Provider Information
- Address
- 601 HIGH ST, UNIT E
DELANO, CA 93215 - Ownership Type
- For-Profit
- Medicare Certified Since
- April 1, 2019
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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 August 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) | 2 |
| Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN) | 2 |
| Physicians | 1 |
8
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 ARDENT HOSPICE OF THE VALLEY reported, not a check of what it offers today. Confirm current arrangements with the hospice.
- Short-term inpatient care
- Arranged through another hospital or nursing home
- 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 2019.
Care Details from Medicare Data
Medicare computes these numbers from claims and required reporting. They show how ARDENT HOSPICE OF THE VALLEY compares to hospices nationwide.
11.4 minutes
of nurse care per routine home care day, on average
That is the 40th percentile among hospices nationally. The national median is about 12 minutes.
19
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 day11.4 min
Ranks better than about 40% 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 weekends4.4%
Ranks better than about 11% 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 life93.6%
Ranks better than about 51% 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 visits51.9%
Ranks better than about 51% 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 care13%
Ranks better than about 13% 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 months39.1%
Ranks better than about 43% 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 care0%
Ranks better than about 81% 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 hospice0%
Ranks better than about 55% 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)52nd 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$24,525 · 80th 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 6 required care steps for new patients here, completed for 20.9% of patients or more. Most hospices score above 90 percent.
- Pain screening100%
- Breathing difficulty screening100%
- Treatment preferences discussed100%
- Beliefs and values discussed96.8%
- Visits in the last days of life20.9%
- All care steps completed96.8%
Conditions of patients in their care
Share of patients by primary diagnosis. Useful if you want a team with experience in a specific condition.
- Cancer25%
- Dementia41%
- Heart and circulatory disease20%
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Percentiles are computed by CMS across all reporting hospices.
About Ardent Hospice of the Valley
Ardent Hospice of the Valley serves families in Delano, California. They provide hospice care to people who need comfort and support near the end of life. This provider has been certified by Medicare since April 2019. They hold accreditation from the Accreditation Commission for Health Care. This means they meet high standards for safety and quality set by an outside group. Their team offers care from a location on High Street. Families often choose them for their local presence in Kern County.
About Ardent Hospice of the Valley
This is a for-profit hospice provider. They have operated under Medicare certification for five years. Accreditation from the Accreditation Commission for Health Care shows they follow strict rules for patient care. These groups check on providers to make sure they follow best practices. It gives families a clear sign that the agency cares about quality. The agency runs as a freestanding hospice. This means they are not part of a hospital system. They focus solely on hospice care. That is a good thing to know when you talk to them. You should ask how their structure helps them serve your family better. They have eight total employees on their team. This includes nurses and a doctor. Knowing who will visit your home is helpful for planning care.
High Quality Standards
What Is Hospice Care Like in Delano?
Hospice care in Delano focuses on keeping patients comfortable at home. A team visits the patient to manage pain and symptoms. At Ardent Hospice of the Valley, the staff includes two registered nurses and two licensed practical nurses. They also have one physician on the team. These workers help manage medicine and daily health needs. Having a small team means you may see the same faces often. This helps build a bond between the staff and your family. The goal is to keep the patient safe and peaceful in their own space. You can expect them to explain the care plan clearly. They will answer your questions about what to do next. Ask them how they handle emergencies after hours. It is a simple way to know what support is available at night or on weekends.
What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider
Choosing the right hospice agency is a big decision. You want to feel confident in the care your family member will receive. Start by asking how many nurses will visit each week. It is also smart to ask how they handle pain medication changes. Ask if they have staff available by phone at all hours of the day. You should find out how they support the family members too. Does the agency offer help for the caregivers? Do they provide volunteers to sit with the patient? These small details make a large difference in your daily life. Write down your questions before you meet with them. Take notes while they speak. This helps you compare different providers later. You have the right to get clear answers about how they work.
Keep Your Family Stories Alive
Your loved one has a life full of memories that deserve to be kept for future generations to enjoy and remember.
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