GOOD SHEPHERD HOSPICE - VERNAL
Provider Information
- Address
- 1680 WEST HWY 40, SUITE 104
VERNAL, UT 84078 - Ownership Type
- For-Profit
- Medicare Certified Since
- March 29, 2006
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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) | 15 |
| Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN) | 1 |
| Physicians | 5 |
53
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 GOOD SHEPHERD HOSPICE - VERNAL 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 GOOD SHEPHERD HOSPICE - VERNAL compares to hospices nationwide.
11.8 minutes
of nurse care per routine home care day, on average
That is the 45th percentile among hospices nationally. The national median is about 12 minutes.
25
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 day11.8 min
Ranks better than about 45% 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 weekends9.6%
Ranks better than about 67% 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 life90.7%
Ranks better than about 34% 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 visits55.6%
Ranks better than about 46% 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 months75%
Ranks better than about 1% 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)67th 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$24,276 · 79th 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 8 required care steps for new patients here, completed for 56.3% of patients or more. Most hospices score above 90 percent.
- Pain screening88.2%
- Pain assessment90.9%
- Breathing difficulty screening90.2%
- Breathing difficulty treatment92.6%
- Treatment preferences discussed98%
- Beliefs and values discussed96.1%
- Visits in the last days of life56.3%
- All care steps completed78.4%
Conditions of patients in their care
Share of patients by primary diagnosis. Useful if you want a team with experience in a specific condition.
- Dementia24%
- Heart and circulatory disease25%
- Other conditions19%
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, reporting period January 2023 through December 2024. Percentiles are computed by CMS across all reporting hospices.
Supportive Care in Vernal
Good Shepherd Hospice serves families in Vernal, Utah, and the surrounding Uintah County area. They offer comfort-focused care for patients facing life-limiting illnesses. Their team works to manage pain and symptoms while providing emotional support to the whole family. Choosing the right partner for end-of-life care is a deeply personal decision. This provider focuses on keeping patients comfortable in their own homes or care settings. They aim to improve quality of life when curative treatments are no longer the primary goal. You deserve a team that listens and responds to your unique needs. That is exactly what they strive to do every day. By focusing on dignity and comfort, this hospice team helps families spend precious time together. They provide the medical equipment, medications, and compassionate visits necessary to support your loved one through every stage of their journey.
About GOOD SHEPHERD HOSPICE - VERNAL
Good Shepherd Hospice - Vernal is a for-profit provider that has served the community since March 2006. Being Medicare-certified means they meet federal quality standards for hospice care. This certification allows them to serve patients who use the Medicare hospice benefit. As a for-profit organization, they operate with a business model aimed at sustainability and high performance. Many families ask if for-profit status changes the care quality. The truth is that quality depends on the specific team and their dedication to your family. You should look at their track record and how they communicate with you. They have been active in Uintah County for nearly two decades now. That is a long time to build trust in a local community. When you meet with them, ask about their specific experience with your loved one’s condition. See if their values match your family’s needs during this time.
High Quality Ratings
Understanding Hospice Care in VERNAL
Living in a rural area like Vernal means you want care that is close to home. Hospice is not a place you go to stay. It is a set of services that comes to you. Whether you live in a private house or an assisted living facility, the hospice team travels to your location. They bring the doctor, the nurse, and the social worker to your front door. This is a huge relief for families who are already tired from traveling. The team in Vernal understands the local geography and the needs of people in Uintah County. They know how to coordinate care across town to keep things simple for you. Hospice provides a safety net for your family. They are on call 24 hours a day, seven days a week. So, if a crisis happens at midnight, you have a number to call for help immediately. You are never truly alone.
What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider
Choosing a hospice is a big step. You should feel comfortable asking hard questions before you start services. Start by asking how quickly a nurse can get to your home if there is an emergency. You also need to know how often a nurse will visit for routine check-ins. Ask them how they handle pain management and if they have a doctor available to talk to your primary physician. It is also smart to ask about their volunteer services. Many hospices offer volunteers who can sit with your loved one or run errands for you. Do not be afraid to ask these questions during your first meeting. A good hospice team will be happy to answer everything clearly and calmly. They know you are going through a difficult time. They should make you feel supported, not rushed. Take your time to find the right fit for your family.
Preserve Your Family's Story
During this time, the stories and wisdom of your loved ones are more important than ever. Creating a lasting record of their life can bring comfort to your whole family for generations to come.
Start Your LegacyOther Hospice Providers Nearby
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INTERMOUNTAIN HOMECARE HOSPICE ST GEORGE
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Helpful Guides for Families
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Some stories are worth writing down
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