GOOD SAMARITAN SOCIETY HOME CARE AND HOSPICE
Provider Information
- Address
- 2035 CHESTER AVE
OTTUMWA, IA 52501 - Ownership Type
- For-Profit
- Medicare Certified Since
- July 15, 2009
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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) | 3 |
| Volunteers | 7 |
9
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 GOOD SAMARITAN SOCIETY HOME CARE AND 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
- Supplied directly by this hospice
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 GOOD SAMARITAN SOCIETY HOME CARE AND HOSPICE compares to hospices nationwide.
10.4 minutes
of nurse care per routine home care day, on average
That is the 29th percentile among hospices nationally. The national median is about 12 minutes.
8
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 day10.4 min
Ranks better than about 29% 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 weekends7.4%
Ranks better than about 44% 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 life96.2%
Ranks better than about 72% 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 visits62.2%
Ranks better than about 37% 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 care13.3%
Ranks better than about 12% 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 months40%
Ranks better than about 40% 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 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)74th 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$9,767 · 10th 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 79.1% of patients or more. Most hospices score above 90 percent.
- Pain screening100%
- Pain assessment100%
- Breathing difficulty screening100%
- Breathing difficulty treatment96.7%
- Treatment preferences discussed100%
- Beliefs and values discussed97.8%
- Visits in the last days of life79.1%
- All care steps completed93.3%
Conditions of patients in their care
Share of patients by primary diagnosis. Useful if you want a team with experience in a specific condition.
- Cancer28%
- Other conditions23%
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, reporting period January 2023 through December 2024. Percentiles are computed by CMS across all reporting hospices.
About Good Samaritan Society Home Care and Hospice
Good Samaritan Society Home Care and Hospice provides end-of-life care in Ottumwa, Iowa. This freestanding hospice team serves families across Wapello County. They have been certified by Medicare since 2009. The agency also holds accreditation from the Accreditation Commission for Health Care. This group checks that hospice teams follow high safety standards. Families often look for this stamp of approval when they choose care. It shows that an outside group reviews the agency to ensure they meet strict quality rules. They keep a team of nine employees to support patients. This team includes three registered nurses. They also work with seven volunteers to help meet patient needs. Choosing a provider is a big step for your family. Understanding who is behind the care helps you make a clear choice for your loved one.
Provider Details
This agency operates as a for-profit hospice provider. They have maintained a presence in the community for many years. You can find their office on Chester Avenue. The agency earned top marks for their quality of care. These scores come from the Hospice Care Index created by Medicare. This index looks at how well a hospice manages pain and visits. It also tracks if they follow federal rules for patient comfort. The agency also earned the highest possible score for their overall performance. This means they perform very well on measured tasks compared to other hospice agencies. That is a rare level of success. You want a team that follows best practices every single day. Their track record shows they focus on these details for every patient they serve. It gives families peace of mind during a hard time.
High Quality Standards
What Is Hospice Care Like in Ottumwa?
Hospice care in Ottumwa focuses on comfort and dignity for patients near the end of life. Local teams provide medical care and emotional support at home. This agency uses a small, dedicated staff to ensure personal attention. They employ three registered nurses to manage symptoms and medications. Seven volunteers offer extra companionship for patients and their families. This mix of staff ensures that medical needs are met while also addressing the need for human connection. The team visits patients where they live. They work to keep symptoms controlled so patients can enjoy their remaining days. This local approach helps families stay in a familiar place. It keeps care close to home. You deserve a team that knows the area and works well within the local community. They are ready to help when you need them.
What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider
Finding the right hospice team takes time. You should ask questions to see if they fit your family goals. Ask how quickly a nurse can get to your home if a problem starts at night. Find out how they handle pain management for their patients. Ask how often the nurse visits each week. You should also ask how they support family caregivers. It helps to know if they have volunteers who can sit with your loved one. Ask about their experience with specific illnesses. Do not be afraid to ask for details. You need clear answers to make a good choice. A good provider will be happy to answer your questions. They should explain things in a way that is easy to understand. Take notes during the talk. This helps you compare your options later on.
Preserve Your Family Stories
Every life has a story worth remembering. Learn how to record memories and preserve your family history during this time.
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