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 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) | 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 screening96.5%
- Pain assessment56.1%
- Breathing difficulty screening97.7%
- Breathing difficulty treatment84.2%
- Treatment preferences discussed100%
- Beliefs and values discussed98.8%
- Visits in the last days of life39.4%
- All care steps completed66.3%
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, reporting period January 2023 through December 2024. Percentiles are computed by CMS across all reporting hospices.
About Orleans / Essex VNA & Hospice
Orleans / Essex VNA & Hospice serves families in Newport, Vermont. They offer home health and hospice services to those in need of end of life care. The agency has been certified by Medicare since 1984. This long history shows they have helped the local community for decades. They focus on providing care where people live. That is often the most comfortable place for a patient to be. Their team works to support patients and their families during difficult times.
Provider Background
This agency operates as a for-profit organization in Orleans County. Medicare certification is a key indicator for families to check. It means the provider meets federal rules for safety and care standards. Since they started in 1984, they have maintained this status for many years. Choosing a certified provider helps ensure the agency follows strict rules. These rules cover everything from staff training to how they handle medical records. You should feel comfortable asking about their current status. Most people do not realize that certification is not a one-time event. Agencies must keep meeting these standards to stay in the program. This keeps the focus on high quality care for every patient they serve.
Quality Performance
What Is Hospice Care Like in Newport?
Hospice care in this part of Vermont focuses on comfort and dignity. The team at Orleans / Essex VNA & Hospice includes 14 registered nurses and 4 licensed practical nurses. They also employ one physician to oversee medical plans. You will find 12 volunteers who help support the staff and families. Having a total staff of 29 people means there is a deep bench of support available. These professionals work together to manage pain and symptoms. They also provide emotional support to help families cope with daily changes. Care happens in your home. This allows you to stay in familiar surroundings with your loved ones. The team visits as often as the care plan requires. They make sure you have the right tools and supplies to keep the patient comfortable.
What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider
Selecting the right care team is a big decision for any family. You should start by asking how quickly a nurse can get to your home in an emergency. It helps to know if they offer visits on weekends or during the night. Ask how they coordinate with your current primary doctor to keep all medical records in sync. You might also ask how they help family caregivers learn to provide basic comfort. Good agencies will explain their process clearly. They should answer your questions without using complex medical jargon. Be sure to ask what happens if your needs change over time. You deserve to understand exactly how they will support you and your loved ones every step of the way.
Preserve Your Family Stories
Your loved one has a lifetime of memories. Recording these stories now creates a lasting gift for your future generations.
Start RecordingOther Hospice Providers Nearby
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Helpful Guides for Families
10 Essential Hospice Questions for Evaluating Providers
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Starting the End-of-Life Conversation: A Family Guide
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Understanding Medicare Hospice Benefit: A Family Guide
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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.