WEST RIVER HOSPICE
Provider Information
- Address
- 63 KENDRICK STREET
NEEDHAM, MA 02494 - Ownership Type
- For-Profit
- Medicare Certified Since
- August 29, 2017
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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) | 3 |
| Volunteers | 0 |
9
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 WEST RIVER 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 2017.
Care Details from Medicare Data
Medicare computes these numbers from claims and required reporting. They show how WEST RIVER HOSPICE compares to hospices nationwide.
7.5 minutes
of nurse care per routine home care day, on average
That is the 7th percentile among hospices nationally. The national median is about 12 minutes.
43
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 day7.5 min
Ranks better than about 7% 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 weekends2.8%
Ranks better than about 4% 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 life74.5%
Ranks better than about 10% 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 visits84.8%
Ranks better than about 9% 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 care10%
Ranks better than about 26% 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%
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 care10%
Ranks better than about 35% 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 hospice4%
Ranks better than about 16% 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$18,786 · 55th 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 29.6% of patients or more. Most hospices score above 90 percent.
- Pain screening91.3%
- Pain assessment94.7%
- Breathing difficulty screening98%
- Breathing difficulty treatment82.5%
- Treatment preferences discussed98%
- Beliefs and values discussed82.7%
- Bowel care for patients on opioids100%
- Visits in the last days of life29.6%
- All care steps completed65.3%
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%
- Dementia41%
- Heart and circulatory disease15%
- Stroke6%
- Other conditions17%
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Percentiles are computed by CMS across all reporting hospices.
West River Hospice in Needham
West River Hospice provides care to patients in Needham, Massachusetts. They offer professional hospice services to support families during difficult times. This provider is a freestanding hospice that has been certified by Medicare since August 2017. They also hold accreditation from the Accreditation Commission for Health Care. This group sets high standards for patient safety and care quality. Choosing an accredited provider means they follow strict rules for how they treat their patients. It provides a clear framework for the care your loved one will receive. The office is at 63 Kendrick Street. You can reach their team at 781-707-9524 for questions about their services. They serve the Norfolk area with a focus on meeting patient needs. Their status as a for-profit provider is an important detail for families to consider when comparing local options for end-of-life care.
About West River Hospice
West River Hospice operates as a for-profit entity in the Norfolk area. They have held Medicare certification for several years. The Accreditation Commission for Health Care conducts regular reviews of their clinical practices. These reviews ensure the hospice meets national standards for medical care and patient rights. Families should know that accreditation shows a commitment to external oversight. It means a third party checks their work regularly. Their team consists of nine total employees. This includes three registered nurses who handle clinical duties. They do not currently list any volunteers on their staff roster. This small, focused team approach is common for freestanding hospice providers. You should ask how this staffing level affects their ability to handle after-hours calls or weekend needs. Understanding who will be in your home is a major part of making an informed decision for your family member.
Quality of Care
What Is Hospice Care Like in Needham?
Hospice care in Needham centers on comfort and symptom management for patients with terminal illnesses. Providers in this region typically send nurses, aides, and social workers to the patient's home. The goal is to improve quality of life while honoring the wishes of the patient. At West River Hospice, the team includes three registered nurses who manage medical needs. They work to keep patients free from pain and distress. Hospice care is not just for the final days of life. Many families find the best results when they start services early. This allows the staff to build a rapport with the patient. It also helps the team teach family members how to provide support. You should ask about their specific routine for visits and how they coordinate with your primary doctor. Local services are designed to keep the patient in a familiar setting as long as possible.
What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider
Choosing a hospice is a big step. You want to make sure the provider fits your family's needs. First, ask how many nurses they have available for after-hours emergencies. You need to know that help is available at night or on weekends. Second, ask how they handle pain management for complex symptoms. You deserve a clear answer about their medical process. Third, ask how they support family caregivers. It is hard to care for a loved one alone. A good provider will offer help to keep you from burning out. Finally, ask if they provide spiritual or emotional support beyond medical care. Some families find this help brings great peace of mind. Write these questions down before you call. It helps you stay focused during your conversation. You have the right to get clear, honest answers from any provider you contact.
Preserve Your Family Stories
Your loved one has a lifetime of memories to share. Capture these moments now to create a lasting legacy for your children and grandchildren to treasure forever.
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