VNA HEALTH
Provider Information
- Address
- 512 EAST GUTIERREZ STREET SUITE A
SANTA BARBARA, CA 93103 - Ownership Type
- Non-Profit
- Medicare Certified Since
- December 2, 1988
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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) | 4 |
| Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN) | 4 |
| Physicians | 1 |
| Volunteers | 5 |
23
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 VNA HEALTH reported, not a check of what it offers today. Confirm current arrangements with the hospice.
- Short-term inpatient care
- Provided directly by this hospice
- 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 2020.
Care Details from Medicare Data
Medicare computes these numbers from claims and required reporting. They show how VNA HEALTH compares to hospices nationwide.
14.5 minutes
of nurse care per routine home care day, on average
That is the 72nd percentile among hospices nationally. The national median is about 12 minutes.
161
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 day14.5 min
Ranks better than about 72% 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 weekends14.2%
Ranks better than about 86% 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 life98.1%
Ranks better than about 87% 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 visits63.8%
Ranks better than about 34% 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 care6%
Ranks better than about 53% 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 months28.6%
Ranks better than about 72% 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 care7.7%
Ranks better than about 47% 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 hospice3%
Ranks better than about 25% 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)74th 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$16,653 · 42nd 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 65.9% of patients or more. Most hospices score above 90 percent.
- Pain screening99.7%
- Pain assessment100%
- Breathing difficulty screening100%
- Breathing difficulty treatment99.6%
- Treatment preferences discussed99.9%
- Beliefs and values discussed99.6%
- Bowel care for patients on opioids100%
- Visits in the last days of life65.9%
- All care steps completed99.2%
Conditions of patients in their care
Share of patients by primary diagnosis. Useful if you want a team with experience in a specific condition.
- Cancer32%
- Dementia26%
- Heart and circulatory disease21%
- Lung and respiratory disease6%
- Stroke4%
- Other conditions13%
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, reporting period January 2023 through December 2024. Percentiles are computed by CMS across all reporting hospices.
VNA HEALTH in Santa Barbara
VNA HEALTH serves the Santa Barbara area from their office on East Gutierrez Street. This provider offers hospice care to families navigating the final stages of life. They focus on comfort and dignity for every person they serve. Since 1988, they have been a part of the local health landscape in California. Their team works hard to meet the needs of patients throughout the county. Choosing the right hospice is a big decision for any family. You want a team that listens. You want a team that cares. VNA HEALTH has deep roots here and understands the local community well. They strive to provide support when it matters most. It is about making each day count for the patient and their loved ones. That is the core goal of their hospice mission.
About VNA HEALTH
VNA HEALTH operates as a non-profit organization. This means their focus stays on patient care rather than profits. They have been Medicare certified since December 1988. That is over three decades of service to the Santa Barbara community. Many families look for this long-term stability when choosing a partner for end-of-life care. Being non-profit often allows a hospice to put extra resources back into staff training and patient comforts. You should know that their history shows a commitment to the region. They are not a new or fly-by-night operation. They have stood the test of time. When you talk to them, ask about how their non-profit status impacts the care they provide. It often means a more personal touch. They want to be there for you and your family. That matters a lot during a hard time.
Quality Performance
Understanding Hospice Care in Santa Barbara
Hospice is a special kind of care for people with a life-limiting illness. It is not about giving up. It is about choosing quality of life. In Santa Barbara, families have access to several hospice options. But not all providers are the same. The focus here is on managing pain and symptoms. They also help with emotional and spiritual support. The thing is, hospice is a team effort. You will have nurses, aides, and social workers helping you at home. Many people wait too long to call hospice. They think they must be within days of passing. That is not true. You can get help for months if you qualify. Starting early helps build a relationship with the care team. It makes the transition much smoother for everyone involved. Don't be afraid to ask for help early on.
What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider
You have the right to choose the best care for your family. Start by asking these questions to get a clear picture. First, ask how quickly a nurse can get to your home if an emergency happens at night. You need to know that help is just a phone call away. Second, ask how they help the family cope with grief. Good support makes a huge difference. Third, ask about their specific experience with your loved one’s illness. Do they have special training? That is a fair question. Finally, ask if they offer volunteer support for companionship. Sometimes a simple visit from a volunteer can brighten a patient's day. These conversations help you feel confident in your choice. Take your time. Write down the answers. Trust your gut feeling when you talk to their staff.
Preserve Your Family's Unique Story
The stories and memories you share today are a gift for future generations. Capture these moments and keep your family history alive.
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