VITAS INNOVATIVE HOSPICE CARE OF GREATER WASH, DC
Provider Information
- Address
- 1200 FIRST STREET, NE SUITE 320
WASHINGTON, DC 20002 - Ownership Type
- For-Profit
- Medicare Certified Since
- August 1, 2006
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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) | 9 |
| Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN) | 3 |
| Physicians | 1 |
21
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 INNOVATIVE HOSPICE CARE OF GREATER WASH, DC reported, not a check of what it offers today. Confirm current arrangements with the hospice.
An older Medicare record for this hospice lists short-term inpatient care as “not provided.” That code may be out of date. Medicare requires certified hospices to make inpatient care available for symptom management and caregiver respite. Ask this hospice how it arranges a bed if symptoms become hard to manage at home.
- Medical supplies and equipment
- Brought in through an outside supplier
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 INNOVATIVE HOSPICE CARE OF GREATER WASH, DC compares to hospices nationwide.
13.4 minutes
of nurse care per routine home care day, on average
That is the 62nd percentile among hospices nationally. The national median is about 12 minutes.
83
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 day13.4 min
Ranks better than about 62% 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 weekends6.7%
Ranks better than about 35% 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 life84.6%
Ranks better than about 19% 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 visits71.9%
Ranks better than about 23% 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 care7.3%
Ranks better than about 44% 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 months43.8%
Ranks better than about 30% 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 care8.8%
Ranks better than about 42% 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 hospice5.1%
Ranks better than about 11% 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$23,212 · 75th 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 55.6% of patients or more. Most hospices score above 90 percent.
- Pain screening94.3%
- Pain assessment96.9%
- Breathing difficulty screening93.9%
- Breathing difficulty treatment100%
- Treatment preferences discussed99.1%
- Beliefs and values discussed98.6%
- Bowel care for patients on opioids98.3%
- Visits in the last days of life55.6%
- All care steps completed91.5%
Conditions of patients in their care
Share of patients by primary diagnosis. Useful if you want a team with experience in a specific condition.
- Cancer28%
- Heart and circulatory disease17%
- Lung and respiratory disease6%
- Stroke41%
- Other conditions7%
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Percentiles are computed by CMS across all reporting hospices.
VITAS Innovative Hospice Care of Greater Wash, DC
VITAS Innovative Hospice Care provides hospice services for patients and families in Washington, District of Columbia. This freestanding hospice provider holds accreditation from the Accreditation Commission for Health Care. They focus on providing specialized end-of-life care in the local community. Their team works to meet the needs of those facing serious illness. By choosing an accredited provider, families can feel confident in the standards of care being delivered. This organization has a long history of service in the area, having first gained Medicare certification in August 2006. They operate from their office on First Street NE to support the needs of the city. Their commitment to quality care remains a core part of their mission for all patients they serve.
About VITAS Innovative Hospice Care of Greater Wash, DC
This hospice operates as a for-profit organization. It has served the community since 2006 under Medicare certification. Accreditation from the Accreditation Commission for Health Care means this provider meets high national standards. This group sets strict rules for patient safety and clinical excellence. Independent experts visit the site to confirm these standards are kept. That is why accreditation matters. It provides a clear way to see that the provider follows best practices for hospice care. Families should know that this provider maintains a dedicated team to manage patient symptoms. This includes nine registered nurses and three licensed practical nurses. A physician also leads the medical care efforts. Having this level of medical staffing helps ensure that patients get the right attention when they need it most.
Quality Performance
What Is Hospice Care Like in WASHINGTON?
Hospice care in Washington centers on comfort and quality of life. The goal is to manage pain and support the whole person. Teams usually include nurses, doctors, and social workers. This specific provider employs a total of 21 staff members to handle these needs. You will find nine registered nurses and three licensed practical nurses on their team. One physician oversees the medical plan for each patient. These professionals visit patients wherever they call home. They focus on helping families cope with the stress of a terminal illness. The team works together to ensure that every patient receives care that is kind and prompt. Having a local team makes a difference. They know the area and can reach patients quickly when urgent needs arise. This local presence brings a sense of stability to families during a hard time.
What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider
Choosing a hospice provider is a big decision for any family. You should feel comfortable asking direct questions before you sign any paperwork. First, ask how quickly a nurse can reach your home if an emergency happens at night. It is also wise to ask how the team will handle pain and other symptoms. You should check if they have experience with your specific diagnosis. Ask what kind of support they offer to family caregivers who might feel tired or overwhelmed. Finally, ask about their accreditation status and what that means for your daily care. You deserve clear answers to these questions. Do not be afraid to ask for more details if the first answer is not enough. Getting the right information helps you make the best choice for your loved one.
Keep Family Memories Alive
Every person has a unique story that deserves to be remembered by their loved ones for years to come.
Preserve Family StoriesOther Hospice Providers Nearby
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PROFESSIONAL HEALTHCARE RESOURCES OF WASHINGTON DC
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ACCENTCARE HOSPICE & PALLIATIVE CARE OF WASHINGTON, DC
CRATER COMMUNITY HOSPICE, INC
CARILION FRANKLIN MEMORIAL HOSPITAL
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Choosing a Hospice Provider: A 5-Step Quality Guide
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