WILLAMETTE VITAL HEALTH
Provider Information
- Address
- 1015 3RD STREET NW
SALEM, OR 97304 - Ownership Type
- Non-Profit
- Medicare Certified Since
- August 19, 2011
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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) | 23 |
| Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN) | 7 |
| Physicians | 2 |
| Volunteers | 2 |
116
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 WILLAMETTE VITAL HEALTH 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 2012.
Care Details from Medicare Data
Medicare computes these numbers from claims and required reporting. They show how WILLAMETTE VITAL HEALTH compares to hospices nationwide.
11.7 minutes
of nurse care per routine home care day, on average
That is the 43rd percentile among hospices nationally. The national median is about 12 minutes.
135
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 day11.7 min
Ranks better than about 43% 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 weekends13.7%
Ranks better than about 85% 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 life91.3%
Ranks better than about 37% 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 visits72.6%
Ranks better than about 22% 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 care13.2%
Ranks better than about 13% 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 months26.4%
Ranks better than about 77% 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 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$14,527 · 31st 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 51.9% of patients or more. Most hospices score above 90 percent.
- Pain screening99.6%
- Pain assessment100%
- Breathing difficulty screening99.9%
- Breathing difficulty treatment100%
- Treatment preferences discussed99.9%
- Beliefs and values discussed99.7%
- Bowel care for patients on opioids100%
- Visits in the last days of life51.9%
- All care steps completed99.5%
Conditions of patients in their care
Share of patients by primary diagnosis. Useful if you want a team with experience in a specific condition.
- Cancer31%
- Dementia12%
- Heart and circulatory disease15%
- Lung and respiratory disease8%
- Stroke24%
- Other conditions11%
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, reporting period January 2023 through December 2024. Percentiles are computed by CMS across all reporting hospices.
About Willamette Vital Health
Willamette Vital Health serves families in Salem, Oregon, from their office on 3rd Street NW. They focus on providing compassionate end-of-life care for those in Polk County and the surrounding areas. Choosing the right hospice team is a deeply personal decision for any family. This provider has been certified by Medicare since August 2011, showing they have a long history of serving the local community. They operate as a non-profit organization. That matters because it means their focus stays on patient needs rather than earning a profit. When you speak with them, you can ask how their non-profit status shapes the way they care for your loved one. It is a great way to start the conversation about their values and their mission. Their team is ready to help you during this difficult time.
Understanding Hospice Care in Salem
Hospice care is about comfort and quality of life. It is not just for the final days or weeks. In Salem, families have access to specialized teams that include nurses, doctors, and social workers. These professionals visit you at home to manage pain and provide emotional support. The goal is to keep your loved one comfortable in their own surroundings. Many people wait too long to call for help. The truth is that hospice can provide support for months, not just days. You deserve to have these experts by your side early on. They can help with equipment, medications, and even respite care for the primary caregiver. Having a team like Willamette Vital Health nearby means you do not have to walk this path alone. It is about making every moment count.
Exceptional Quality Ratings
What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider
Picking a provider is a big step. You should feel comfortable asking direct questions. Start by asking how quickly they can send a nurse to your home in an emergency. This is vital for peace of mind. Next, ask about their staff's availability after hours and on weekends. You need to know who will answer the phone at 2:00 AM. Also, ask how they handle pain management and how they support the family's emotional needs. It is okay to be specific. Ask them to describe a recent situation where they helped a family navigate a tough symptom. Their answer will tell you a lot about their approach. Trust your gut feeling during these talks. You are looking for a partner who listens well and acts with kindness.
Preserve Your Family's History
Your loved one has a lifetime of stories worth saving for future generations. We provide tools to help you capture these memories easily.
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Helpful Guides for Families
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.
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.
A Complete End of Life Planning Checklist for Families
Feeling overwhelmed by end of life planning? Use our comprehensive hospice planning checklist to organize your loved one's care and simplify difficult decisions.
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.