HospiceScout

LOS ALAMOS VISITING NURSE SERVICE HOSPICE

For-ProfitHome Health Agency

Provider Information

Address
109 CENTRAL PARK SQUARE
LOS ALAMOS, NM 87544
Ownership Type
For-Profit
Medicare Certified Since
August 19, 2012

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CMS Quality Ratings

Overall Rating

Composite score combining quality measures and patient survey results.

Quality of Care

Based on the CMS Hospice Care Index — 10 operational quality indicators including visits near death, nursing minutes, and care transitions.

Patient Satisfaction
Not yet rated

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

Staffing breakdown for LOS ALAMOS VISITING NURSE SERVICE HOSPICE
RoleStaff Count
Registered Nurses (RN)3
Volunteers2

4

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 LOS ALAMOS VISITING NURSE SERVICE HOSPICE 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

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.

Type of inpatient care
Both general inpatient care and respite care

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 LOS ALAMOS VISITING NURSE SERVICE HOSPICE compares to hospices nationwide.

12.2 minutes

of nurse care per routine home care day, on average

That is the 50th percentile among hospices nationally. The national median is about 12 minutes.

6

patients in care on an average day

A rough measure of size. Smaller can mean more personal. Larger can mean more resources.

Medicare reports this hospice billed for routine home care only from January 2022 through December 2024. Hospices can also provide continuous home care, inpatient care, and respite care when symptoms are harder to manage. There can be good reasons for this. Ask the provider how they handle a crisis at home.

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 day12.2 min

    Ranks better than about 50% 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 weekends5.6%

    Ranks better than about 21% 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 visits52.8%

    Ranks better than about 50% 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 months40%

    Ranks better than about 40% 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 care6.7%

    Ranks better than about 52% 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)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$12,219 · 19th 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 7 required care steps for new patients here, completed for 69.8% of patients or more. Most hospices score above 90 percent.
  • Pain screening100%
  • Breathing difficulty screening100%
  • Breathing difficulty treatment96.3%
  • Treatment preferences discussed100%
  • Beliefs and values discussed74.4%
  • Visits in the last days of life85.4%
  • All care steps completed69.8%

Conditions of patients in their care

Share of patients by primary diagnosis. Useful if you want a team with experience in a specific condition.

  • Cancer26%
  • Other conditions31%

Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, reporting period January 2023 through December 2024. Percentiles are computed by CMS across all reporting hospices.

Compassionate Care in Los Alamos

Los Alamos Visiting Nurse Service Hospice provides end-of-life support for families in Los Alamos, New Mexico. They focus on comfort, dignity, and quality of life for patients facing a terminal illness. Their team works right in the community to ensure patients get care where they feel most at home. Choosing the right hospice is a major step. It is about finding a partner who truly understands what your family needs during a tough season. This team serves the local area from their office at 109 Central Park Square. They help manage symptoms so that patients can spend more meaningful time with the people they love. It is not just about medical care. It is about supporting the whole person and their family throughout the entire journey. When you need help, having a local team nearby can make a world of difference for your peace of mind.

About LOS ALAMOS VISITING NURSE SERVICE HOSPICE

This provider has been Medicare certified since August 19, 2012. That is over a decade of experience serving the local community. They operate as a for-profit organization. Some families wonder if that changes the care, but the truth is that all Medicare-certified hospices must meet strict federal standards. The thing is, you should look for the quality ratings to see how they perform. This hospice has built a solid track record over the years. They focus on the needs of patients in Los Alamos County. Because they have been around for a long time, they know the local healthcare landscape well. That helps them connect patients with resources quickly. You can reach their office directly at (505) 662-2525 if you have questions about their specific services. It is always a good idea to call and speak with them directly to see if their approach feels like the right fit for your family.

Quality Rating

Los Alamos Visiting Nurse Service Hospice holds an impressive 4.5 out of 5 stars for their overall quality. They also earned a 4.5 out of 5 rating for their quality of care based on the CMS Hospice Care Index. This score means they consistently meet high standards for how they manage pain and support families.

Understanding Hospice Care in LOS ALAMOS

Hospice is a special kind of care for people who are nearing the end of life. It is not about giving up. It is about choosing comfort over aggressive treatments that may no longer help. In Los Alamos, families have access to professional teams that bring care directly to the home. This might be a private house, an assisted living center, or a nursing home. The goal is simple. It is to keep the patient pain-free and surrounded by loved ones. Most people do not realize that hospice care includes support for the family, too. This can mean counseling, help with daily tasks, or just someone to talk to when things get heavy. And because hospice is a Medicare benefit, it is covered for those who qualify. You do not have to walk this path alone. There are experts ready to help you navigate these choices every single day.

What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider

Choosing a hospice provider is a big decision for any family. You want to feel confident in the team you pick. Start by asking how quickly they can respond to a call in the middle of the night. You should also ask how they handle pain management and if they have staff available on weekends. It is smart to ask how they involve the family in the care plan. You are the expert on your loved one, after all. Ask them what makes their specific team special or different from others. Do they have volunteers? How do they help with grief support after a loss? These answers will tell you a lot about their values. Don't be afraid to ask for clarity. A good hospice team will be happy to answer every single question you have. They should make you feel heard, respected, and supported throughout the entire process.

Preserve Your Family Stories

This time of life is about more than just medical care. It is a time to share memories and capture the stories that define your family history. Learn how you can record these precious moments to keep them safe for future generations.

Start Preserving Memories

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Helpful Guides for Families

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.