ORLEANS /ESSEX VNA & HOSPICE
Provider Information
- Address
- 46 LAKEMONT ROAD
NEWPORT, VT 05855 - Ownership Type
- For-Profit
- Medicare Certified Since
- October 1, 1984
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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) | 14 |
| Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN) | 4 |
| Physicians | 1 |
| Volunteers | 12 |
29
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 ORLEANS /ESSEX VNA & 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 2021.
Care Details from Medicare Data
Medicare computes these numbers from claims and required reporting. They show how ORLEANS /ESSEX VNA & HOSPICE compares to hospices nationwide.
9.5 minutes
of nurse care per routine home care day, on average
That is the 20th percentile among hospices nationally. The national median is about 12 minutes.
16
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 day9.5 min
Ranks better than about 20% 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 weekends10.4%
Ranks better than about 72% 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 life88.5%
Ranks better than about 27% 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 visits73.7%
Ranks better than about 21% 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 care17.6%
Ranks better than about 5% 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 months11.8%
Ranks better than about 94% 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 hospice11.8%
Ranks better than about 1% 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$10,468 · 12th 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 39.4% of patients or more. Most hospices score above 90 percent.
- Pain screening97.6%
- Pain assessment51.1%
- Breathing difficulty screening97.6%
- Breathing difficulty treatment80%
- Treatment preferences discussed100%
- Beliefs and values discussed96.4%
- Visits in the last days of life39.4%
- All care steps completed60.2%
Conditions of patients in their care
Share of patients by primary diagnosis. Useful if you want a team with experience in a specific condition.
- Cancer48%
- Dementia11%
- Heart and circulatory disease18%
- Other conditions14%
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Percentiles are computed by CMS across all reporting hospices.
ORLEANS /ESSEX VNA & HOSPICE
Orleans /Essex VNA & Hospice serves families throughout the Newport, Vermont area. This provider offers end of life support designed to keep patients comfortable in their own homes. They have been certified by Medicare since 1984. This long history shows their experience in the local community. They focus on providing care that meets specific needs for each patient they serve. Families in Orleans County often look to this team for support during difficult times. Choosing the right care is a major step. Having a local provider with decades of experience can offer a sense of stability for your loved ones. Their team works to ensure quality care remains the primary goal for every person they visit.
About ORLEANS /ESSEX VNA & HOSPICE
This agency operates as a for-profit organization. They have maintained Medicare certification for over forty years. This certification means they must follow strict federal rules to ensure patient safety and care quality. The agency employs 29 staff members to manage their daily operations. This group includes 14 registered nurses and 4 licensed practical nurses. They also have one physician on staff to oversee medical plans. Twelve volunteers help the team with non-medical support for families. Being a part of the Newport community for so long allows them to understand local needs well. You should ask about their specific response times and how they handle after-hours calls. Understanding their structure helps you know who will be at the bedside. They prioritize clear communication with families to keep everyone informed about the care plan. This level of transparency is a standard part of their service model.
Quality of Care
What Is Hospice Care Like in NEWPORT?
Hospice care in Newport focuses on comfort rather than a cure. It brings medical experts to your home to manage pain and other symptoms. The team at Orleans /Essex VNA & Hospice includes nurses and a doctor to lead the way. They work with volunteers to offer extra support when you need it most. That is a big help for tired caregivers. Because they have 14 registered nurses on the team, they can handle complex medical needs at home. This means your loved one can stay in a familiar environment. The staff visits regularly to check on progress and adjust medications as needed. They also provide emotional support for the entire family unit. You can expect a team that knows the local area and understands the needs of Vermont residents. They aim to make every day as peaceful as possible for those they serve.
What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider
You need to feel comfortable with the team you choose. Start by asking how quickly a nurse can reach your home in an emergency. This is a common concern for many families. Ask how they handle pain management during the night or on weekends. You should also ask about the role of their volunteers. Do they provide respite for family caregivers? This can give you time to rest or run errands. Ask how often the doctor will review the care plan to ensure it is still working. Finally, ask what happens if your loved one needs a higher level of care that the home cannot provide. Knowing these answers helps you make an informed choice. It removes some of the stress from the planning process. Be sure to get clear answers that make sense to you and your family members.
Preserve Your Family Stories
Capture the life stories and memories of your loved ones to keep them for future generations.
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