HOSPICE OF WESTERN KENTUCKY
Provider Information
- Address
- 3419 WATHENS CROSSING
OWENSBORO, KY 42301 - Ownership Type
- Non-Profit
- Medicare Certified Since
- April 25, 1990
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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) | 37 |
| Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN) | 5 |
91
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 WESTERN KENTUCKY reported, not a check of what it offers today. Confirm current arrangements with the hospice.
- Short-term inpatient care
- Both provided directly and arranged with other facilities
- 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 2018.
Care Details from Medicare Data
Medicare computes these numbers from claims and required reporting. They show how HOSPICE OF WESTERN KENTUCKY compares to hospices nationwide.
13.6 minutes
of nurse care per routine home care day, on average
That is the 64th percentile among hospices nationally. The national median is about 12 minutes.
94
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 day13.6 min
Ranks better than about 64% 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 weekends8%
Ranks better than about 51% 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 life97.2%
Ranks better than about 81% 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 visits64.6%
Ranks better than about 34% 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 care22%
Ranks better than about 2% 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 months22%
Ranks better than about 85% 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 care6%
Ranks better than about 56% 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 hospice1%
Ranks better than about 50% 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)97th 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$8,069 · 5th 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 73.1% of patients or more. Most hospices score above 90 percent.
- Pain screening85.2%
- Pain assessment98.9%
- Breathing difficulty screening99.4%
- Breathing difficulty treatment99.8%
- Treatment preferences discussed99.7%
- Beliefs and values discussed99.3%
- Bowel care for patients on opioids99%
- Visits in the last days of life73.1%
- All care steps completed83.9%
Conditions of patients in their care
Share of patients by primary diagnosis. Useful if you want a team with experience in a specific condition.
- Cancer29%
- Dementia15%
- Heart and circulatory disease18%
- Lung and respiratory disease12%
- Stroke7%
- Other conditions21%
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, reporting period January 2023 through December 2024. Percentiles are computed by CMS across all reporting hospices.
Hospice of Western Kentucky
Hospice of Western Kentucky serves families throughout the Owensboro area. They provide compassionate end-of-life care focused on comfort and dignity. Their team works right in Daviess County to help patients stay at home. This local presence makes a real difference when life gets difficult. Choosing the right support is a big step for your loved one. Their office sits at 3419 Wathens Crossing, offering a central hub for care coordination. You can reach their team at (270) 926-7565 if you have immediate questions about their services. The goal is simple. They want to ensure every patient feels supported, heard, and cared for during their final chapter. It is about living well for as long as possible. That is exactly what this team strives to do every day in our community.
About Hospice of Western Kentucky
This provider operates as a non-profit organization. That is a big deal for families. Non-profits often put all their resources back into patient care. They have been Medicare certified since April 25, 1990. That is over three decades of experience serving Kentucky families. Longevity like that shows they know how to handle the complex needs of patients and their relatives. What most people do not realize is that long-standing providers often have deep roots in the local medical community. This helps them connect you with other services much faster. You want a team that knows the local doctors and hospital systems. Hospice of Western Kentucky has had years to build those vital connections. They bring a wealth of history to every home visit they make. You can trust that they have seen almost every situation before, and they know how to guide you through it.
Quality Ratings at a Glance
Understanding Hospice Care in Owensboro
Owensboro is a tight-knit community where neighbors truly look out for each other. Finding hospice care here means finding a partner who values those same small-town connections. The thing is, hospice is not a place you go to give up. It is a specialized service that comes to you. Whether you are living in a private home or a care facility, the hospice team travels to your side. They handle pain, manage symptoms, and provide emotional support for the whole family. And it is about more than just medicine. It is about those quiet moments of peace. Here in Daviess County, you have access to professional care that respects your family's unique traditions. You deserve a team that talks to you like a person, not a chart. That is the standard you should expect from any provider you invite into your home during this sensitive time.
What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider
You have a choice in who provides care. Do not feel rushed to pick the first name you see. Start by asking these questions to get a better sense of their style. First, ask how quickly their nurses can get to your home in an emergency. You need to know that someone is available 24/7. Second, ask how they handle pain management and if they have a doctor on call at all times. Third, ask how they support family caregivers who might be feeling burned out. It is okay to admit you need help. Finally, ask what kind of grief support they offer after the patient passes. A good provider stays with you even after the care ends. These conversations help you see if their values match your own. Take your time. Ask until you feel calm and ready to move forward with your decision.
Preserve Your Family's Story
Your loved one has a lifetime of memories, lessons, and stories that deserve to be kept safe for future generations. We make it simple to record these precious moments today.
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Helpful Guides for Families
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Some stories are worth writing down
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