CARE INITIATIVES HOSPICE - WEST DES MOINES
Provider Information
- Address
- 7055 VISTA DRIVE
WEST DES MOINES, IA 50266 - Ownership Type
- Non-Profit
- Medicare Certified Since
- October 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) | 7 |
| Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN) | 2 |
| Physicians | 1 |
| Volunteers | 0 |
30
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 CARE INITIATIVES HOSPICE - WEST DES MOINES 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 CARE INITIATIVES HOSPICE - WEST DES MOINES compares to hospices nationwide.
12.8 minutes
of nurse care per routine home care day, on average
That is the 56th percentile among hospices nationally. The national median is about 12 minutes.
49
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 day12.8 min
Ranks better than about 56% 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 weekends7.5%
Ranks better than about 45% 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 life94.8%
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 visits59.8%
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 care8.3%
Ranks better than about 37% 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 months51.4%
Ranks better than about 16% 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 care2.8%
Ranks better than about 74% 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)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$16,172 · 40th 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 63% of patients or more. Most hospices score above 90 percent.
- Pain screening98.9%
- Pain assessment100%
- Breathing difficulty screening100%
- Breathing difficulty treatment92.3%
- Treatment preferences discussed100%
- Beliefs and values discussed96.7%
- Bowel care for patients on opioids100%
- Visits in the last days of life63%
- All care steps completed93.9%
Conditions of patients in their care
Share of patients by primary diagnosis. Useful if you want a team with experience in a specific condition.
- Cancer16%
- Dementia32%
- Heart and circulatory disease28%
- Lung and respiratory disease11%
- Other conditions11%
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, reporting period January 2023 through December 2024. Percentiles are computed by CMS across all reporting hospices.
Care for your loved ones in West Des Moines
Care Initiatives Hospice serves the West Des Moines community with dedicated end-of-life support. They provide medical, emotional, and spiritual comfort to families facing a terminal illness. Their team focuses on managing pain and improving the quality of life for those they serve. Whether in a home or a care facility, they strive to meet the unique needs of every patient in Dallas County. Choosing a hospice provider is a big step for your family. Having a local team nearby can make a real difference during this difficult time. They work hard to bring peace and comfort to your home environment.
About CARE INITIATIVES HOSPICE - WEST DES MOINES
This provider operates as a non-profit organization. That is a significant detail for families to consider. Non-profit groups often reinvest their resources directly back into patient care and community programs. They have been Medicare certified since October 15, 2009. That shows they have a long history of meeting federal standards for hospice care. Being in business for over a decade means they have plenty of experience with the challenges families face. You can find them at 7055 Vista Drive in West Des Moines. It is a central spot for many in the area. What most people don't realize is that these federal certifications are updated often. This ensures that the care they provide stays consistent and safe for everyone involved. They have built their reputation on this foundation of service over many years.
Quality of Care and Patient Experience
Understanding Hospice Care in West Des Moines
Hospice is not about giving up. It is about choosing to focus on comfort instead of a cure. In West Des Moines, you have several options for end-of-life care. Many families choose to receive these services in the comfort of their own homes. The team visits you to provide medicine, equipment, and emotional support. But some patients prefer a care facility if their needs are complex. The goal is always to keep the patient safe and pain-free. Hospice teams act as a partner for your family. They handle the hard medical tasks so you can focus on being a son, daughter, or spouse. That is the true value of hospice. It allows you to spend your energy on making memories. You are never alone in this process. Local providers like this one are there to guide you every single step of the way.
What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider
You should feel empowered to ask tough questions. Start by asking how quickly a nurse can get to your home if an emergency happens at night. You also need to know how they handle pain medication changes. Here is a simple list to help you get started:
- How often will a nurse visit my loved one each week?
- What happens if we need help on a weekend or a holiday?
- How does your team support family members who are grieving?
- Can you explain how your care team handles difficult symptoms at home?
The answers to these questions will tell you a lot about their culture. Do not feel rushed to make a choice. Take your time to find a team that feels like a good fit for your values. A good provider will be happy to answer every single one of your questions with patience and kindness.
Keep your family stories alive
Every life is a book worth reading. You can preserve your loved one's unique history and favorite memories today. This simple tool helps you capture their voice and wisdom for future generations to cherish.
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Helpful Guides for Families
Understanding Medicare Hospice Benefit: A Family Guide
Confused by hospice coverage? Our guide to understanding Medicare hospice benefits helps you navigate care options and costs with confidence and clarity.
Starting Difficult Conversations: A Guide for Families
Struggling with end-of-life talks? Learn the best ways for starting difficult conversations with your aging parents to ensure their wishes are honored today.
What CMS Star Ratings Actually Mean for Your Family
Confused by hospice star ratings? Learn how CMS calculates these scores, what they reveal about care quality, and how to find the right provider for your family.
Some stories are worth writing down
Between the calls and the paperwork, many families wish they had asked more about the person at the center of it all. A recorded conversation, a favorite recipe, the story behind an old photo. Small things now can mean a great deal later. Our legacy guides show simple ways to start.