PASCO/SW HOSPICE
Provider Information
- Address
- 2208 E MAIN ST
CORTEZ, CO 81321 - Ownership Type
- For-Profit
- Medicare Certified Since
- July 5, 2023
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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) | 1 |
| Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN) | 0 |
| Volunteers | 0 |
3
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 PASCO/SW 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
- 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 2023.
Care Details from Medicare Data
Medicare computes these numbers from claims and required reporting. They show how PASCO/SW HOSPICE compares to hospices nationwide.
19.4 minutes
of nurse care per routine home care day, on average
That is the 94th percentile among hospices nationally. The national median is about 12 minutes.
12
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 day19.4 min
Ranks better than about 94% 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 weekends9.4%
Ranks better than about 65% 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 visits46%
Ranks better than about 59% 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 care11.8%
Ranks better than about 18% 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 months35.3%
Ranks better than about 54% 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 hospice5.9%
Ranks better than about 7% 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$10,925 · 14th 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 8 required care steps for new patients here, completed for 90.3% of patients or more. Most hospices score above 90 percent.
- Pain screening96.8%
- Pain assessment98.1%
- Breathing difficulty screening97.8%
- Breathing difficulty treatment100%
- Treatment preferences discussed100%
- Beliefs and values discussed96.8%
- Bowel care for patients on opioids100%
- All care steps completed90.3%
Conditions of patients in their care
Share of patients by primary diagnosis. Useful if you want a team with experience in a specific condition.
- Cancer26%
- Dementia15%
- Heart and circulatory disease20%
- Lung and respiratory disease23%
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, reporting period January 2023 through December 2024. Percentiles are computed by CMS across all reporting hospices.
PASCO/SW HOSPICE in Cortez
PASCO/SW HOSPICE serves families in Cortez, Colorado, from their office on East Main Street. This freestanding hospice provider offers care to patients within Montezuma County. They have been certified by Medicare since July 2023. The organization carries accreditation from the Community Health Accreditation Partner, also known as CHAP. This group reviews hospice agencies to ensure they follow strict rules for safety and care. Having this stamp of approval shows that the agency meets high national standards. It is a sign of their commitment to quality. Their team works to provide support for those who need it most during a difficult time. You can reach them at (970) 565-6833 if you have questions about their specific services. They aim to serve the local community with care that meets federal and private quality benchmarks every day.
About PASCO/SW HOSPICE
This hospice operates as a for-profit provider. They joined the Medicare program in the summer of 2023. Their CHAP accreditation matters because it means an outside group checked their work. These experts look at how the staff manages patient comfort and records. They also check that the agency follows all laws. Because they are a smaller team, they focus on specific tasks for their patients. The staff includes one registered nurse who coordinates the medical side of care. They do not have licensed practical nurses or volunteers on their current roster. Families should know that accreditation is voluntary. It goes beyond the basic rules required to bill Medicare. When you see this status, it shows that the agency chose to have their systems tested by independent experts. That is a clear step toward maintaining high standards for the people they serve in the Montezuma County area.
What Is Hospice Care Like in CORTEZ?
Hospice care in the Cortez area focuses on comfort and dignity. The goal is to manage symptoms so the patient stays as comfortable as possible. Teams usually include doctors, nurses, and social workers. This agency currently employs three people to handle these duties. With one registered nurse on staff, they manage the primary medical needs of their patients. They do not use volunteers or licensed practical nurses right now. This means your care plan will be handled by a smaller, focused group. Many families in Colorado prefer this level of personal attention. It allows for faster communication when needs change. The team will work with your primary doctor to keep everyone on the same page. They provide this care in your own home or wherever you reside. And they make sure to respect your family's personal wishes throughout the entire process.
What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider
Picking the right partner is a big decision for your family. Start by asking how the nurse will be available to you at night or on weekends. You need to know who answers the phone when a crisis happens. Ask how often they visit your home to check on the patient. It is also wise to ask about their experience with your specific health needs. Does the team have training in pain management or emotional support? Ask how they handle medications and equipment deliveries. You should also ask how they keep your family informed about changes. Make sure you understand their admission process before you sign any paperwork. A good agency will answer these questions with patience and clear details. They want you to feel comfortable with the plan. Take your time to get the answers you need to make the best choice for your loved one.
Preserve Your Family Stories
Capture the life stories and memories of your loved one to create a lasting family legacy that can be shared for generations.
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