VITAS HEALTHCARE CORPORATION OF ILLINOIS
Provider Information
- Address
- 1040 4TH STREET
PERU, IL 61354 - Ownership Type
- For-Profit
- Medicare Certified Since
- January 9, 1990
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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) | 25 |
| Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN) | 2 |
| Physicians | 2 |
| Volunteers | 19 |
61
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 ILLINOIS 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 2020.
Care Details from Medicare Data
Medicare computes these numbers from claims and required reporting. They show how VITAS HEALTHCARE CORPORATION OF ILLINOIS compares to hospices nationwide.
16.6 minutes
of nurse care per routine home care day, on average
That is the 85th percentile among hospices nationally. The national median is about 12 minutes.
214
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 day16.6 min
Ranks better than about 85% 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 weekends8.7%
Ranks better than about 59% 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 life94.9%
Ranks better than about 60% 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 visits59.5%
Ranks better than about 40% 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 care12.5%
Ranks better than about 15% 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 months28.4%
Ranks better than about 73% 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 care9.1%
Ranks better than about 40% 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 hospice2.3%
Ranks better than about 33% 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)67th 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$17,918 · 50th 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 76.6% of patients or more. Most hospices score above 90 percent.
- Pain screening99.3%
- Pain assessment99.2%
- Breathing difficulty screening99.3%
- Breathing difficulty treatment98.8%
- Treatment preferences discussed99.8%
- Beliefs and values discussed99.8%
- Bowel care for patients on opioids100%
- Visits in the last days of life76.6%
- All care steps completed98.1%
Conditions of patients in their care
Share of patients by primary diagnosis. Useful if you want a team with experience in a specific condition.
- Cancer14%
- Dementia17%
- Heart and circulatory disease18%
- Lung and respiratory disease5%
- Stroke34%
- Other conditions14%
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, reporting period January 2023 through December 2024. Percentiles are computed by CMS across all reporting hospices.
Compassionate Hospice Care in Peru
VITAS Healthcare Corporation of Illinois serves families in Peru and the surrounding LaSalle County area. They offer specialized end-of-life care focused on comfort and dignity for those with life-limiting illnesses. Their team helps patients manage pain while providing emotional and spiritual support to loved ones. Choosing a hospice provider is a big decision for any family. That is why having local options like this one makes such a difference during a tough time. The team at the 4th Street location works hard to ensure patients feel safe and cared for every single day. They know that time is precious. That is why they focus on quality of life above all else. Whether you need help with symptoms or just someone to talk to, their staff is ready to listen. It is about making sure your loved one stays comfortable in their own home or wherever they reside.
About VITAS Healthcare Corporation of Illinois
This provider operates as a for-profit organization. They have been Medicare certified since January 9, 1990. That is over three decades of service to the community. Here is the thing—long-standing history often signals a deep understanding of local needs. Families should know that being Medicare certified means they meet strict federal standards for care. It is a baseline that ensures a certain level of professionalism. The team here manages medical needs while also supporting the family unit. They focus on the whole person, not just the illness. You might wonder what for-profit status means for your care. It simply describes how the business is set up. It does not change the fact that they must follow the same rules as other hospice providers. Their goal is to provide reliable, high-quality care that meets your family's unique needs. They aim to be a steady hand during a very difficult journey.
Quality Performance
Understanding Hospice Care in Peru
Hospice is not about giving up. It is about changing the goal of care. Instead of trying to cure a disease, the focus shifts to managing pain and symptoms. This allows people to spend their final months in peace. In a community like Peru, access to this care is vital. Many families do not realize that hospice can happen anywhere. It can take place in a private home, an assisted living facility, or a nursing home. The key is to start the conversation early. Do not wait for a crisis to happen. If you or a loved one are facing a serious illness, talk to your doctor about these options. Hospice teams bring the care to you. They provide nurses, aides, and counselors who visit regularly. This support helps families stay together and focus on making memories. It is a different kind of care, but it is a very important one.
What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider
Picking the right team is a deeply personal choice. You want people you can trust. Start by asking how quickly they can respond to emergencies. You need to know if someone is available at 3:00 AM if symptoms flare up. Ask them how they handle pain management and if they have a specific plan for your loved one. It is also smart to ask about the team members who will visit. Will you have the same nurse most of the time? Building a relationship with the staff makes a huge difference. Finally, ask what kind of support they offer to the family after the patient passes. Grief support is a critical part of their job. If they cannot answer these questions clearly, keep looking. You deserve a team that listens to your worries. Take your time and trust your gut. Your family deserves the very best care available.
Preserve Your Family's Unique Story
Every life is full of meaningful moments and wisdom. Capturing these stories now provides a lasting gift for future generations to cherish forever.
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