HospiceScout

GOODWIN HOUSE PALLIATIVE CARE AND HOSPICE

Non-ProfitACHC AccreditedSkilled Nursing Facility

Provider Information

Address
3440 SOUTH JEFFERSON STREET
FALLS CHURCH, VA 22041
Ownership Type
Non-Profit
Medicare Certified Since
August 25, 1999

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CMS Quality Ratings

Overall Rating

Composite score combining quality measures and patient survey results.

Quality of Care

Based on the CMS Hospice Care Index — 10 operational quality indicators including visits near death, nursing minutes, and care transitions.

Patient Satisfaction

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

Staffing breakdown for GOODWIN HOUSE PALLIATIVE CARE AND HOSPICE
RoleStaff Count
Registered Nurses (RN)10
Physicians1
Volunteers30

21

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 GOODWIN HOUSE PALLIATIVE CARE AND 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

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.

Type of inpatient care
Both general inpatient care and respite care
Medical supplies and equipment
Brought in through an outside supplier

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 2018.

Care Details from Medicare Data

Medicare computes these numbers from claims and required reporting. They show how GOODWIN HOUSE PALLIATIVE CARE AND HOSPICE compares to hospices nationwide.

12 minutes

of nurse care per routine home care day, on average

That is the 47th percentile among hospices nationally. The national median is about 12 minutes.

134

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 day12 min

    Ranks better than about 47% 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 weekends8.9%

    Ranks better than about 61% 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 life91.9%

    Ranks better than about 39% 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 visits75%

    Ranks better than about 19% 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 care9.9%

    Ranks better than about 27% 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 months46.8%

    Ranks better than about 24% 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 care9%

    Ranks better than about 41% 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 hospice1.8%

    Ranks better than about 40% 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$15,937 · 39th 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 64.6% of patients or more. Most hospices score above 90 percent.
  • Pain screening93.1%
  • Pain assessment99.3%
  • Breathing difficulty screening99.4%
  • Breathing difficulty treatment99.3%
  • Treatment preferences discussed98.9%
  • Beliefs and values discussed98.9%
  • Bowel care for patients on opioids100%
  • Visits in the last days of life64.6%
  • All care steps completed91.7%

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%
  • Dementia32%
  • Heart and circulatory disease13%
  • Lung and respiratory disease5%
  • Stroke6%
  • Other conditions14%

Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, reporting period January 2023 through December 2024. Percentiles are computed by CMS across all reporting hospices.

Care in Falls Church

Goodwin House Palliative Care and Hospice serves families in Falls Church, Virginia. They focus on comfort, dignity, and quality of life for those facing a serious illness. This team provides medical support, emotional care, and spiritual guidance right where you live. Choosing the right partner for end-of-life care is a big decision. You want a team that knows the local area and cares about your loved one. That is exactly what this team aims to provide every single day. They work hard to meet the physical and emotional needs of every patient they serve. It is about more than just medicine. It is about making sure your family feels supported during a very difficult time. They have been a part of the local healthcare landscape for many years now. If you live in Fairfax County, they are a nearby option to consider for your hospice needs.

About Goodwin House Palliative Care and Hospice

This provider has been Medicare certified since August 25, 1999. That is over two decades of serving the community. Being a non-profit organization sets them apart from others. For many families, this status provides peace of mind. It means their primary focus remains on patient care rather than profits. They operate out of their location on South Jefferson Street in Falls Church. You can reach their team directly at (703) 578-7108 to discuss your specific situation. The thing is, choosing a non-profit can often lead to a different type of care experience. You should feel free to call them and ask how their non-profit status shapes their daily work with families. Understanding their history and their mission is a great first step. It helps you see if their values align with what your family needs right now. They have deep roots in the Fairfax area.

Quality Performance Snapshot

Goodwin House earns a 5/5 overall rating from Medicare. They also hold a perfect 5/5 score for their quality of care. While their patient satisfaction score is 3/5, their high clinical ratings show strong expertise in managing pain and symptoms.

Understanding Hospice Care in Falls Church

Hospice care in Virginia is designed to wrap around the patient and their family. It is not a place you go, but a service that comes to you. Most hospice care happens in your own home. Sometimes it happens in a nursing facility or a dedicated hospice house. The goal is simple. It is all about managing pain and keeping the patient comfortable. But hospice is also for the caregivers. They provide nurses, aides, and social workers to help carry the load. You do not have to walk this path alone. In Fairfax County, families have several options for support. The key is to find a team that communicates well and responds quickly when you call. That is a big deal when you are worried about a loved one. Take your time to explore what is available nearby. You deserve a team that listens to your concerns and acts with kindness.

What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider

It can be hard to know what to ask when you are feeling overwhelmed. Start by focusing on the basics of daily care. Here are four questions that can help you get the right answers:

  • How quickly can a nurse get to my home if we have an emergency at night?
  • What specific training does your team have for managing complex pain?
  • How do you support family caregivers who are feeling burned out or tired?
  • Can you explain the difference between your palliative care and your hospice services?

These questions help you see how the team handles stress. Pay attention to how they answer. Do they seem rushed? Or do they take the time to hear your fears? You want a partner who makes you feel heard. Trust your gut feeling after you talk to them. It is often the best guide you have.

Preserve Your Family's History

Your loved one has a lifetime of stories that deserve to be remembered. We provide simple tools to help you capture these memories for future generations.

Start Preserving Stories

Other Hospice Providers Nearby

Helpful Guides for Families

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.