HOSPICE OF WASHINGTON COUNTY
Provider Information
- Address
- 948 EAST 11TH STREET
WASHINGTON, IA 52353 - Ownership Type
- Non-Profit
- Medicare Certified Since
- February 1, 1996
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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) | 4 |
| Physicians | 1 |
16
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 HOSPICE OF WASHINGTON COUNTY 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 2021.
Care Details from Medicare Data
Medicare computes these numbers from claims and required reporting. They show how HOSPICE OF WASHINGTON COUNTY compares to hospices nationwide.
16.5 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.
20
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 day16.5 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 weekends7.1%
Ranks better than about 40% 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 life100%
Ranks better than about 99% 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 visits34%
Ranks better than about 74% 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 care0%
Ranks better than about 81% 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 months33.3%
Ranks better than about 58% 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)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$11,756 · 17th 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 82.9% of patients or more. Most hospices score above 90 percent.
- Pain screening96.1%
- Pain assessment100%
- Breathing difficulty screening100%
- Breathing difficulty treatment82.9%
- Treatment preferences discussed99%
- Beliefs and values discussed97.1%
- Visits in the last days of life83.4%
- All care steps completed85.4%
Conditions of patients in their care
Share of patients by primary diagnosis. Useful if you want a team with experience in a specific condition.
- Cancer34%
- Dementia14%
- Heart and circulatory disease17%
- Stroke9%
- Other conditions18%
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, reporting period January 2023 through December 2024. Percentiles are computed by CMS across all reporting hospices.
Hospice of Washington County
Hospice of Washington County serves families throughout Washington, Iowa, and the surrounding areas. They provide comfort-focused care for patients facing a life-limiting illness. Their team works hard to improve the quality of life for both patients and their loved ones. By focusing on pain management and emotional support, they help families stay together during difficult times. It is all about keeping your loved one comfortable in their own home or a familiar setting. They are deeply rooted in the local community, which makes a big difference when you need someone who truly understands the area. Choosing the right care team is one of the most important decisions you will make. This team in Washington is dedicated to providing peace of mind when it matters most.
About Hospice of Washington County
This provider operates as a non-profit organization. That means their primary focus remains on patient care rather than profits. They have been Medicare-certified since February 1, 1996. That is nearly three decades of service to the people of Washington County. When you look for a hospice provider, history matters. A long track record shows they have the experience to handle complex situations with grace. Families should know that non-profit status often means they put extra resources back into their care programs. They are held to high standards by federal regulators to keep that certification. That is a big deal for your peace of mind. You want a team that has stayed the course and proven their commitment over many years. This provider has clearly done just that in our local community.
Top-Tier Quality Care
Understanding Hospice Care in Washington
Hospice care is not about giving up. It is about choosing to focus on comfort and quality of life. In Washington, Iowa, families have access to specialized teams that visit patients wherever they call home. This could be a private house, an assisted living facility, or a nursing home. The goal is to manage pain and symptoms so the patient can spend time with the people they love. The thing is, many families wait too long to call for help. Hospice can provide support for months, not just the final days. By bringing in a team early, you get more time for meaningful conversations and less stress. And that is exactly what every family deserves. If you have questions, reach out to them. They can explain how these services fit into your specific family situation.
What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider
Picking a hospice team feels overwhelming. Keep it simple by asking a few key questions. First, ask how quickly a nurse can get to your home if an emergency happens at night or on a weekend. You need to know that help is always just a phone call away. Second, ask how they handle pain and symptom control. You want a team that is proactive, not just reactive. Third, ask what kind of support they offer for family members after a loss. Grief support is a huge part of the hospice mission. Finally, ask if they have volunteers who can sit with your loved one to give you a short break. These small things make a massive difference in your daily life. Do not be afraid to ask these questions. A good hospice team will be happy to answer them clearly.
Preserve Your Family's Story
During this time, the memories and stories of your loved ones are more precious than ever. Find simple ways to record their history and preserve those special moments for future generations.
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