VITAS HEALTHCARE CORPORATION OF CALIFORNIA
Provider Information
- Address
- 990 W 190TH STREET, SUITE 550
TORRANCE, CA 90502 - Ownership Type
- For-Profit
- Medicare Certified Since
- March 16, 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 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) | 11 |
| Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN) | 9 |
| Physicians | 4 |
| Volunteers | 29 |
53
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 CORPORATION OF CALIFORNIA 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
- Respite care (up to five days at a time, to give family caregivers a break)
- 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 2018.
Care Details from Medicare Data
Medicare computes these numbers from claims and required reporting. They show how VITAS HEALTHCARE CORPORATION OF CALIFORNIA compares to hospices nationwide.
16.9 minutes
of nurse care per routine home care day, on average
That is the 87th percentile among hospices nationally. The national median is about 12 minutes.
113
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 day16.9 min
Ranks better than about 87% 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 weekends17.3%
Ranks better than about 91% 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 life96.8%
Ranks better than about 77% 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 visits80.5%
Ranks better than about 13% 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 care11%
Ranks better than about 22% 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 months34.8%
Ranks better than about 55% 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 care18.9%
Ranks better than about 9% 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)93rd 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$20,064 · 61st 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 53.6% of patients or more. Most hospices score above 90 percent.
- Pain screening98.2%
- Pain assessment98.0%
- Breathing difficulty screening98.3%
- Breathing difficulty treatment100%
- Treatment preferences discussed99.4%
- Beliefs and values discussed98.9%
- Bowel care for patients on opioids98.5%
- Visits in the last days of life53.6%
- All care steps completed95.5%
Conditions of patients in their care
Share of patients by primary diagnosis. Useful if you want a team with experience in a specific condition.
- Cancer20%
- Dementia11%
- Heart and circulatory disease21%
- Lung and respiratory disease16%
- Stroke14%
- Other conditions19%
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Percentiles are computed by CMS across all reporting hospices.
VITAS Healthcare in Torrance
VITAS Healthcare Corporation of California serves the Torrance community from their office on West 190th Street. This freestanding hospice provider has offered end-of-life care since early 2000. They hold accreditation from the Accreditation Commission for Health Care. This designation shows they meet specific standards for quality and safety. Their team works to support patients and their families throughout Los Angeles County. Choosing a hospice provider is a significant step for your loved one. You want a team that works well together. This provider includes a staff of 53 employees who focus on patient needs. They have 11 registered nurses and 9 licensed practical nurses ready to help. Having 4 doctors and 29 volunteers on the team adds extra support for the daily needs of their patients. It is a large group effort to provide care in a home or facility setting.
About VITAS Healthcare Corporation of California
This is a for-profit hospice organization. They have been certified by Medicare for over two decades. The Accreditation Commission for Health Care reviews them to ensure they follow high standards of care. This group checks that the agency follows best practices for safety and management. Why does accreditation matter for your family? It means an outside group looked at their operations and confirmed they meet clear rules. You can feel better knowing they have met these benchmarks for a long time. The agency employs a wide range of staff to handle different medical and social needs. They have a team that includes 11 registered nurses and 9 licensed practical nurses. With 4 physicians and 29 volunteers, they have many hands to help. You should look at these numbers as you compare your options. It is helpful to see who will be involved in the daily care of your family member.
Quality Overview
What Is Hospice Care Like in Torrance?
Hospice care in Torrance focuses on making your loved one as comfortable as possible. It is not about curing an illness. It is about improving the quality of their remaining time. The team comes to where the patient lives. This could be a private home or a care facility. They provide medical support to manage pain and other symptoms. The staff also offers emotional support for the whole family. At this location, the team includes 11 registered nurses and 9 licensed practical nurses. They also have 4 physicians and 29 volunteers to round out the care. You can expect them to visit regularly to check on the patient. They work with you to create a plan that fits your specific needs. The goal is to keep the patient calm and comfortable. This allows the family to focus on being together during a difficult time.
What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider
You should speak with a few different agencies before you decide. Start by asking how often a nurse will visit the home. You want to know who you can call if there is an emergency at night. Ask how they help with pain management specifically. This is a very common concern for families. You should also ask how they support family members who are grieving. Do they offer counselors or support groups? It is also good to ask about their experience with the specific condition your loved one has. Some agencies have more experience with certain diseases than others. Make sure you feel heard when you ask these questions. The right provider will answer clearly and with patience. They should be willing to explain every step of their process to you. Take your time to get the information you need to make a good choice.
Keep Family Stories Alive
Your loved one has a life full of stories and wisdom. Preserving these memories creates a lasting gift for your family to cherish for many years to come.
Start Preserving MemoriesOther Hospice Providers Nearby
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PROVIDENCE AT HOME WITH COMPASSUS HOSPICE CARE LA COUNTY
A CARE HOSPICE INC
ALPHA HOSPICE CARE
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