HOSPICE OF THE NORTHWEST
Provider Information
- Address
- 227 FREEWAY DR STE A
MOUNT VERNON, WA 98273 - Ownership Type
- Combination Government & Non-Profit
- Medicare Certified Since
- March 15, 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) | 13 |
| Physicians | 1 |
| Volunteers | 0 |
36
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 HOSPICE OF THE NORTHWEST 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 2013.
Care Details from Medicare Data
Medicare computes these numbers from claims and required reporting. They show how HOSPICE OF THE NORTHWEST 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.
202
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 weekends9.3%
Ranks better than about 64% 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 life90.5%
Ranks better than about 33% 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 visits70.9%
Ranks better than about 24% 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 care5.6%
Ranks better than about 56% 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 months19.4%
Ranks better than about 88% 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 care2.8%
Ranks better than about 74% 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 hospice0.8%
Ranks better than about 53% 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$14,022 · 28th 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 50.6% of patients or more. Most hospices score above 90 percent.
- Pain screening99.7%
- Pain assessment99.6%
- Breathing difficulty screening99.9%
- Breathing difficulty treatment99.8%
- Treatment preferences discussed99.8%
- Beliefs and values discussed99.8%
- Bowel care for patients on opioids100%
- Visits in the last days of life50.6%
- All care steps completed99.2%
Conditions of patients in their care
Share of patients by primary diagnosis. Useful if you want a team with experience in a specific condition.
- Cancer30%
- Dementia26%
- Heart and circulatory disease17%
- Lung and respiratory disease7%
- Stroke4%
- Other conditions18%
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, reporting period January 2023 through December 2024. Percentiles are computed by CMS across all reporting hospices.
Hospice of the Northwest Overview
Hospice of the Northwest provides compassionate end-of-life care for families in Mount Vernon, Washington. Located at 227 Freeway Dr Ste A, they serve the Skagit County area with a focus on comfort and dignity. The team offers medical support, emotional guidance, and spiritual care to help patients live their final days with peace. They are here to support not just the patient, but the entire family unit during a difficult transition. Choosing a local provider often makes a big difference in how quickly the team can respond to your needs. Their presence in the community ensures that help is never too far away when you need it most. It is about making sure your loved one feels safe, heard, and cared for at home.
About Hospice of the Northwest
This organization operates as a combination of government and non-profit entities. They have been certified by Medicare since March 15, 1984. That is over four decades of service to the community. Having a long history like this matters because it shows they have deep roots and reliable experience. Families should know that non-profit hospice providers often focus heavily on community health goals. The team at Hospice of the Northwest is held to high standards by federal regulators. They undergo regular checks to ensure they meet strict quality measures. You can feel confident knowing their history is built on a foundation of long-term accountability. What most people do not realize is that this longevity often translates to a very stable and well-trained staff. They have seen it all before, so they know exactly how to guide you through the tough moments.
High-Quality Care Standards
Understanding Hospice Care in Mount Vernon
Hospice care is a special way of looking at health when a cure is no longer the goal. It focuses on easing pain and managing symptoms so the patient can focus on what matters most. In Mount Vernon, families have access to teams that include nurses, doctors, aides, and counselors. The thing is, many people wait too long to start these services. Starting early allows the team to build a real relationship with your loved one. This helps them understand what makes the patient happy, like favorite music or specific foods. And it provides much-needed relief for the primary caregiver at home. You do not have to walk this path by yourself. Local providers know the resources in Skagit County well, which helps them coordinate care more smoothly. It is all about teamwork and making sure your loved one stays comfortable in their own space.
What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider
Picking a hospice team is a big decision that happens during a stressful time. You want to feel sure about who will be entering your home. Start by asking how quickly a nurse can get to your house if an emergency happens at night. That is a vital detail for your peace of mind. You should also ask how they help the family with grief after a loss. Another good question is how they manage pain and other symptoms to keep the patient alert and comfortable. Ask them to explain their staffing levels so you know how often a nurse will visit. Do not be afraid to ask about their experience with your specific health condition. The best providers will be open, honest, and willing to take the time to answer every single one of your concerns clearly.
Keep Your Family Stories Alive
The memories you share today are a gift for the generations that follow. Capture the stories, wisdom, and laughter of your loved ones to ensure their legacy lives on forever.
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