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 August 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 discussed100%
- Visits in the last days of life92.6%
- All care steps completed100%
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. Percentiles are computed by CMS across all reporting hospices.
Hospice Care in West Union
Gundersen Palmer Lutheran Hosp and Clinics-Hospice serves families in West Union, Iowa. This provider offers end of life support to patients residing in Fayette County. They have provided hospice services since 1992. This long history shows their deep roots in the local community. Choosing a provider with years of service can offer peace of mind during a difficult time. They are a non-profit organization focused on patient needs. Their team works to keep patients comfortable at home or in the hospital. You can reach their office on Jefferson Street to ask about their specific care programs. Finding the right support early makes a big difference for everyone involved. Getting answers now helps you plan for the coming weeks and months with more clarity and less worry.
About Gundersen Palmer Lutheran Hosp and Clinics-Hospice
This provider operates as a hospital-based hospice program in Iowa. As a non-profit entity, their mission centers on health outcomes rather than profit margins. They earned Medicare certification in March of 1992. This certification means they meet federal rules for safety and quality. Medicare sets high standards for hospice agencies across the country. Following these rules ensures that every patient gets a basic level of care. Their status as a hospital-based program provides unique benefits to patients. They can share resources with the larger hospital system when needs change. This connection to a hospital can offer a smoother path for patients who need extra medical help. Families should look for these signs of stability when they search for care. It shows that the organization has a structure in place to handle medical crises. You can feel confident knowing they meet these national benchmarks.
Quality Performance
What Is Hospice Care Like in West Union?
Hospice care in West Union focuses on comfort and dignity. The team at Gundersen Palmer Lutheran Hosp and Clinics-Hospice includes 16 total employees. This group features 13 registered nurses who lead the clinical side of care. Nurses play a major role in managing pain and symptoms for patients at home. They visit regularly to check on progress and adjust care plans as needed. Having a large number of nurses on staff allows for frequent monitoring of patient health. This high ratio of nurses to total staff shows a focus on clinical expertise. Social workers and other staff members round out the team to provide support for the whole family. They help with emotional needs and planning for the future. Hospice is not just about medicine. It is about living the final months with comfort and support from a trained team of local professionals.
What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider
Choosing a hospice team is a personal decision for every family. You should feel comfortable asking questions before you sign any paperwork. Start by asking how quickly a nurse can reach your home in an emergency. It is also good to ask how they handle pain management during the night or on weekends. Does the team include a chaplain or a counselor for emotional support? Ask them to explain how they coordinate care with your primary doctor. You want to know that everyone is on the same page. Do they have experience with your specific diagnosis? Getting clear answers helps you understand what to expect. You are the expert on your family member. Do not be afraid to ask for clarity if something seems confusing. A good provider will be happy to explain their process and answer every single question you have.
Preserve Your Family Stories
The time you spend with loved ones is precious. Recording their life stories and memories creates a lasting gift for your children and grandchildren to cherish forever.
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Helpful Guides for Families
Understanding Medicare Hospice Benefits: 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.