KAWEAH HEALTH HOSPICE
Provider Information
- Address
- 402 W ACEQUIA AVE
VISALIA, CA 93291 - Ownership Type
- Other
- Medicare Certified Since
- May 16, 2002
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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) | 5 |
| Physicians | 1 |
10
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 KAWEAH HEALTH HOSPICE 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
- General inpatient care (for pain or symptoms that cannot be managed elsewhere)
- 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 2016.
Care Details from Medicare Data
Medicare computes these numbers from claims and required reporting. They show how KAWEAH HEALTH HOSPICE compares to hospices nationwide.
27.1 minutes
of nurse care per routine home care day, on average
That is the 99th percentile among hospices nationally. The national median is about 12 minutes.
34
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 day27.1 min
Ranks better than about 99% 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 weekends9.7%
Ranks better than about 67% 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 life93.9%
Ranks better than about 53% 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 visits29.7%
Ranks better than about 79% 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 care20.8%
Ranks better than about 3% 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 months8.3%
Ranks better than about 96% 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 care4.2%
Ranks better than about 66% 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$6,095 · 2nd 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 54.4% of patients or more. Most hospices score above 90 percent.
- Pain screening99.8%
- Pain assessment96.8%
- Breathing difficulty screening97.7%
- Breathing difficulty treatment96.6%
- Treatment preferences discussed99.0%
- Beliefs and values discussed97.0%
- Bowel care for patients on opioids96.5%
- Visits in the last days of life54.4%
- All care steps completed90.4%
Conditions of patients in their care
Share of patients by primary diagnosis. Useful if you want a team with experience in a specific condition.
- Cancer31%
- Dementia7%
- Heart and circulatory disease22%
- Lung and respiratory disease9%
- Stroke19%
- Other conditions12%
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Percentiles are computed by CMS across all reporting hospices.
About Kaweah Health Hospice
Kaweah Health Hospice serves the Visalia area from its office on West Acequia Avenue. This hospice has provided care to the Tulare County region since May 2002. They hold accreditation from the Joint Commission. This group acts as an independent auditor to check that health providers meet high safety standards. Families often look for this seal to confirm that a provider follows strict medical rules. Their team offers end of life support for patients who need comfort at home or in a facility. Choosing a local provider often helps families stay connected to their own community during a hard time. Having a team nearby means staff can reach you quickly when needs change. This provider operates as a freestanding hospice rather than part of a larger hospital wing.
About KAWEAH HEALTH HOSPICE
This hospice is listed under other ownership. It earned its Medicare certification over two decades ago in 2002. That history shows they have deep roots in the California healthcare system. Being a Joint Commission accredited provider means they undergo regular reviews of their medical practices. These reviews cover how they manage pain and how they handle patient records. It is a rigorous process. Most families feel better knowing an outside group watches over the quality of care provided. You should know that this provider maintains a dedicated team of ten employees. This includes five registered nurses and one physician. These staff members work together to manage symptoms and support your loved one. They focus on the physical needs of the patient while keeping family members informed. It is a practical approach to serious illness care.
Quality Overview
What Is Hospice Care Like in VISALIA?
Hospice care in Visalia focuses on comfort and dignity for those with a limited life expectancy. The goal is to manage pain and help patients spend time at home with family. You get a team that comes to you. This team usually includes nurses, doctors, and aides who visit on a regular schedule. At this provider, the staff includes five registered nurses and one physician. These professionals coordinate with your primary doctor to adjust medications and care plans. They help with medical equipment and provide emotional support for the whole family. Many people think hospice is only for the final days. But the truth is that it provides support for months. You can call them to discuss how their specific team fits your current situation. They answer questions about what to expect during each stage of care.
What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider
Choosing the right care is a big decision for any family. You should ask clear questions to understand how a provider works. First, ask how quickly a nurse can get to your home if a problem happens at night. Second, ask how they handle pain and other symptoms that might cause distress. Third, find out how they support family members who are acting as caregivers. Do they offer respite care to give you a break? You might also ask how often the doctor will visit or call to check on the patient. It helps to know how they communicate changes in the care plan to you. Write down the answers so you can compare them later. Clear answers help you feel confident in your choice for your loved one.
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Capture the life lessons, memories, and voice of your loved one to keep their spirit alive for future generations.
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