KITTITAS VALLEY HOME HEALTH & HOSPICE
Provider Information
- Address
- 1506 E RADIO RD
ELLENSBURG, WA 98926 - Ownership Type
- Combination Government & Non-Profit
- Medicare Certified Since
- April 29, 1994
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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) | 1 |
| Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN) | 0 |
| Physicians | 0 |
| Volunteers | 15 |
5
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 KITTITAS VALLEY HOME HEALTH & 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
- Both supplied directly and through outside suppliers
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 2022.
Care Details from Medicare Data
Medicare computes these numbers from claims and required reporting. They show how KITTITAS VALLEY HOME HEALTH & HOSPICE compares to hospices nationwide.
17.6 minutes
of nurse care per routine home care day, on average
That is the 89th percentile among hospices nationally. The national median is about 12 minutes.
15
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 day17.6 min
Ranks better than about 89% 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 weekends13.5%
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 life97.6%
Ranks better than about 83% 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 visits52%
Ranks better than about 51% 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 care7.1%
Ranks better than about 44% 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 months10.7%
Ranks better than about 95% 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 hospice3.6%
Ranks better than about 19% 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$9,127 · 8th 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 85.2% of patients or more. Most hospices score above 90 percent.
- Pain screening95.7%
- Pain assessment97.1%
- Breathing difficulty screening100%
- Breathing difficulty treatment96.8%
- Treatment preferences discussed100%
- Beliefs and values discussed95%
- Bowel care for patients on opioids100%
- Visits in the last days of life85.2%
- All care steps completed88.7%
Conditions of patients in their care
Share of patients by primary diagnosis. Useful if you want a team with experience in a specific condition.
- Cancer36%
- Dementia18%
- Heart and circulatory disease10%
- Lung and respiratory disease11%
- Other conditions22%
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, reporting period January 2023 through December 2024. Percentiles are computed by CMS across all reporting hospices.
Compassionate Care in Ellensburg
Kittitas Valley Home Health & Hospice serves the Ellensburg, Washington area from their office on East Radio Road. They provide specialized end-of-life care for patients and their families. Choosing a hospice team is a deeply personal decision. You want experts who treat your loved one with dignity and respect. This team helps manage pain and offers emotional support during a difficult time. They focus on comfort, quality of life, and keeping families together. Being in your own home often makes a big difference. That is where their team steps in to help. They bring medical care and guidance right to your doorstep. It is all about making each day count for the patient and those they love most.
About KITTITAS VALLEY HOME HEALTH & HOSPICE
This provider operates as a combination of government and non-profit services. They have been Medicare certified since April 29, 1994. That is over 30 years of history serving the Kittitas community. What does this mean for your family? It means they have a long track record of following strict federal rules for patient care. Most families feel better knowing a provider has such deep roots in the local area. They are not just a business. They are neighbors helping neighbors. The team works hard to keep their standards high and their care consistent. You can feel confident knowing they have met Medicare requirements for decades. That is a big deal when you are looking for stability and trust during a health crisis.
Exceptional Quality Ratings
Understanding Hospice Care in ELLENSBURG
Hospice is not about giving up. It is about choosing comfort when a cure is no longer the main goal. In Ellensburg, you have access to teams that focus on the whole person. They manage symptoms like pain, anxiety, or shortness of breath. The goal is to keep the patient alert and comfortable. The thing is, hospice is for the whole family, too. Counselors and volunteers are often available to help with the emotional toll of caregiving. Many families wait too long to ask for help. But hospice works best when the team has time to build a relationship with the patient. You do not need to walk this path alone. Having professional support nearby changes everything for the better.
What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider
It can feel scary to start these talks. But asking the right questions helps you feel in control. First, ask how quickly their team can get to your home in an emergency. You need to know that help is available 24/7. Second, ask how they handle pain and symptom control. Every patient has different needs. You want a team that adjusts the plan based on what works best for your loved one. Third, ask how they support family caregivers. Do they offer respite care if you need a break? Finally, ask about their experience with your specific health needs. Some providers have extra training for certain conditions. Getting clear answers now will give you peace of mind later.
Keep Their Stories Alive
Your loved one has a lifetime of stories, wisdom, and memories. Preserving these moments is a beautiful way to honor their journey and keep their legacy safe for future generations.
Preserve Family StoriesOther Hospice Providers Nearby
PROVIDENCE AT HOME WITH COMPASSUS, PUGET SOUND SOU
ACCENTCARE HOSPICE & PALLIATIVE CARE OF KING COUNT
HOSPICE OF THE NORTHWEST
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CENTRAL WASHINGTON HOSPITAL HOMECARE SERVICES
Helpful Guides for Families
How to Choose a Hospice Provider: A Family’s Complete Guide
Feeling overwhelmed? Our hospice selection guide helps you compare providers, understand Medicare benefits, and make the best choice for your loved one today.
Starting Difficult Conversations: A Guide for Families
Struggling with end-of-life talks? Learn the best ways for starting difficult conversations with your aging parents to ensure their wishes are honored today.
Understanding Medicare Hospice Benefit: A Family Guide
Confused by hospice coverage? Our guide to understanding Medicare hospice benefits helps you navigate care options and costs with confidence and clarity.
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.