LOWER COLUMBIA HOSPICE
Provider Information
- Address
- 2120 EXCHANGE STREET, SUITE 203
ASTORIA, OR 97103 - Ownership Type
- Non-Profit
- Medicare Certified Since
- May 29, 1991
Are you this hospice's administrator? Update your information
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) | 6 |
| Physicians | 1 |
12
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 LOWER COLUMBIA 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 2020.
Care Details from Medicare Data
Medicare computes these numbers from claims and required reporting. They show how LOWER COLUMBIA HOSPICE compares to hospices nationwide.
13.5 minutes
of nurse care per routine home care day, on average
That is the 63rd percentile among hospices nationally. The national median is about 12 minutes.
38
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 day13.5 min
Ranks better than about 63% 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 weekends1.3%
Ranks better than about 1% 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 life82.5%
Ranks better than about 16% 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 visits32.6%
Ranks better than about 76% 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 care5.3%
Ranks better than about 58% 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 months36.8%
Ranks better than about 50% 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 care0%
Ranks better than about 81% 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 hospice5.3%
Ranks better than about 10% 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$13,700 · 27th 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 35.9% of patients or more. Most hospices score above 90 percent.
- Pain screening99.5%
- Pain assessment100%
- Breathing difficulty screening100%
- Breathing difficulty treatment97.8%
- Treatment preferences discussed100%
- Beliefs and values discussed100%
- Bowel care for patients on opioids97%
- Visits in the last days of life35.9%
- All care steps completed97.9%
Conditions of patients in their care
Share of patients by primary diagnosis. Useful if you want a team with experience in a specific condition.
- Cancer33%
- Dementia18%
- Heart and circulatory disease18%
- Lung and respiratory disease7%
- Stroke7%
- Other conditions18%
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 Astoria
Lower Columbia Hospice serves families in Astoria, Oregon, and the surrounding Clatsop County area. They provide end-of-life care focused on comfort, dignity, and quality of life for patients and their loved ones. Choosing a hospice team is a deeply personal decision, and this team has been a staple in the local community for over three decades.
About Lower Columbia Hospice
This organization operates as a non-profit provider. Being non-profit often means the focus stays entirely on patient needs rather than profit margins. They have been Medicare certified since May 1991. That is a long time to serve a community. That kind of history matters because it shows they have deep experience with the local healthcare system. When you look at a provider, you want to see that they have been around long enough to truly understand how to help families during hard times. They are located on Exchange Street, right in the heart of Astoria. This local presence can make a big difference when you need someone to visit your home quickly. The thing is, choosing a hospice is not just about the location. It is about finding a team that feels like a good fit for your family's specific values and goals for care.
Quality Ratings
Understanding Hospice Care in Astoria
Hospice is a special kind of care for people facing a life-limiting illness. The goal is to manage pain and symptoms so the patient can live each day as fully as possible. In Astoria, families have access to a range of support services that go beyond just medical help. This includes emotional and spiritual support for the whole family. Many people think hospice is only for the last few days of life. But the truth is that hospice can provide support for months. Getting help sooner allows the team to build a real relationship with your loved one. And that makes a huge difference in how comfortable the patient feels. The team works with you to create a plan that fits your home life and your specific wishes. It is about bringing peace and comfort to your own space.
What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider
Asking the right questions will help you feel more confident in your choice. Start by asking how quickly a nurse can get to your home if an emergency happens at night or on the weekend. You should also ask how they manage pain and other difficult symptoms. It is also smart to ask how they support family caregivers who might be feeling tired or overwhelmed. Ask about their volunteer program, too. Volunteers can offer a break for family members or just sit with a patient to provide extra companionship. You want to know exactly who will be coming into your home. Don't be afraid to ask how often a doctor or nurse will visit. Getting clear answers now will save you a lot of stress later on. You deserve to feel supported every step of the way.
Preserving Your Family's Story
This time is about more than just medical care. It is a chance to gather, remember, and save the stories that define your family's history for the generations to come.
Start Preserving MemoriesOther Hospice Providers Nearby
KAISER PERMANENTE CONTINUING CARE SERVICES HOSPICE
BELOVED HOSPICE, INC
PROVIDENCE HOSPICE
HOSPICE OF REDMOND
VANGE JOHN MEMORIAL HOSPICE
ACCENTCARE HOSPICE & PALLIATIVE CARE OF OREGON
Helpful Guides for Families
What Nearly 17,000 Hospice Inspection Reports Reveal
CMS released 16,894 hospice inspection reports from late 2021 to early 2026. See what surveyors cited most, what serious findings mean, and how to use them.
How to Start the Hospice Conversation: A Practical Guide
Struggling to talk about end-of-life care? Learn how to start the hospice conversation with your aging parents using these compassionate, expert-backed tips.
Starting the End-of-Life Conversation: A Family Guide
Starting the end-of-life conversation is hard. Our guide provides scripts, expert tips, and Medicare insights to help you navigate this talk with confidence.
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.