GUNDERSEN PALMER LUTHERAN HOSP AND CLINICS-HOSPICE
Provider Information
- Address
- 200 JEFFERSON STREET
WEST UNION, IA 52175 - Ownership Type
- Non-Profit
- Medicare Certified Since
- March 19, 1992
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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) | 13 |
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 GUNDERSEN PALMER LUTHERAN HOSP AND CLINICS-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
- 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 GUNDERSEN PALMER LUTHERAN HOSP AND CLINICS-HOSPICE compares to hospices nationwide.
14.1 minutes
of nurse care per routine home care day, on average
That is the 69th percentile among hospices nationally. The national median is about 12 minutes.
23
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 day14.1 min
Ranks better than about 69% 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 weekends6.5%
Ranks better than about 32% 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 visits23.7%
Ranks better than about 85% 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 months36.1%
Ranks better than about 52% 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 care5.6%
Ranks better than about 58% 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)85th 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$14,113 · 29th 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 92.6% of patients or more. Most hospices score above 90 percent.
- Pain screening100%
- Pain assessment100%
- Breathing difficulty screening100%
- Breathing difficulty treatment100%
- Treatment preferences discussed100%
- Beliefs and values discussed98.9%
- Visits in the last days of life92.6%
- All care steps completed98.9%
Conditions of patients in their care
Share of patients by primary diagnosis. Useful if you want a team with experience in a specific condition.
- Cancer21%
- Heart and circulatory disease49%
- Lung and respiratory disease11%
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, reporting period January 2023 through December 2024. Percentiles are computed by CMS across all reporting hospices.
Supportive Care in West Union
Gundersen Palmer Lutheran Hosp and Clinics-Hospice provides compassionate end-of-life care in West Union, Iowa. They focus on comfort and quality of life for patients and their loved ones. Serving families in Fayette County, this team offers medical, emotional, and spiritual support during a difficult time. Their goal is to help patients remain in familiar surroundings whenever possible. This care team understands the local community and works hard to meet the unique needs of neighbors in the region. Choosing the right hospice partner is a personal decision that impacts your entire family. Having a trusted group nearby can make a world of difference. When you reach out to them at (563) 422-6267, you get a team dedicated to dignity and respect. It is about making every moment count, no matter the circumstances.
About Gundersen Palmer Lutheran Hosp and Clinics-Hospice
This provider operates as a non-profit organization. That means their primary focus is on patient care rather than turning a profit for shareholders. They have been Medicare certified since March 19, 1992. That is over three decades of serving the community. Experience like that matters when you need reliable support. Being a long-standing provider, they have built deep roots in the area. Families should know that non-profit hospice programs often reinvest their resources back into patient services. This can lead to extra programs or specialized support for grieving families. The thing is, choosing a provider with such a long history gives you peace of mind. You can feel confident knowing they have navigated the complexities of hospice care for a very long time. They are located right at 200 Jefferson Street, making them a central part of the local healthcare landscape for those in Fayette County.
Understanding Hospice Care in West Union
Hospice is not about giving up on life. It is about changing the goal of care to focus on comfort. In a rural area like West Union, hospice services help families stay close to home. You might think hospice is only for the final days, but that is a common mistake. Most experts suggest starting the conversation early. This way, the patient gets the full benefit of pain management and emotional support. And the family gets guidance on what to expect. That is a big deal. Local teams here know the area well and can coordinate care with your existing doctors. They bring the equipment and medications directly to where you live. Whether that is a private home or a care facility, the support follows you. It takes the burden off your shoulders so you can focus on being a family member again.
What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider
You have the right to ask questions before picking a provider. Start by asking how they handle pain and other symptoms at night or on weekends. You need to know that help is just one phone call away. Ask how their team will talk with your current doctor to keep everyone on the same page. It is also smart to ask about the support they offer to family members. Do they have volunteers or grief counselors who can help you cope? Here is another good one: ask how many patients their nurses typically manage. Smaller caseloads often mean more time for your specific needs. Finally, ask what happens if the patient's condition changes quickly. You want a team that can pivot fast to keep the patient comfortable. Trust your gut during these talks. The right team will make you feel heard and understood.
Preserve Your Family’s Story
Your loved one has a lifetime of wisdom and memories to share. Capture these stories now to create a lasting treasure for future generations to enjoy.
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Helpful Guides for Families
Understanding Medicare Hospice Benefit: A Family Guide
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Understanding Hospice Levels of Care: A Family Guide
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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.