HospiceScout

KPWA HOME HEALTH & HOSPICE

Non-ProfitFreestanding Hospice

Provider Information

Address
201 - 16TH AVE E CHM-C140
SEATTLE, WA 98112
Ownership Type
Non-Profit
Medicare Certified Since
September 29, 1988

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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 KPWA HOME HEALTH & HOSPICE
RoleStaff Count
Registered Nurses (RN)20
Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN)2
Physicians2

37

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 KPWA 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

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
Respite care (up to five days at a time, to give family caregivers a break)
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 2022.

Care Details from Medicare Data

Medicare computes these numbers from claims and required reporting. They show how KPWA HOME HEALTH & HOSPICE compares to hospices nationwide.

15 minutes

of nurse care per routine home care day, on average

That is the 76th percentile among hospices nationally. The national median is about 12 minutes.

102

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 day15 min

    Ranks better than about 76% 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 weekends11.2%

    Ranks better than about 77% 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 life91.6%

    Ranks better than about 38% 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 visits49.8%

    Ranks better than about 55% 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 months26.7%

    Ranks better than about 77% 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 care1.9%

    Ranks better than about 78% 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 hospice1.9%

    Ranks better than about 39% 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$11,661 · 17th 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 72.6% of patients or more. Most hospices score above 90 percent.
  • Pain screening99.3%
  • Pain assessment97.2%
  • Breathing difficulty screening99.9%
  • Breathing difficulty treatment97.7%
  • Treatment preferences discussed99.8%
  • Beliefs and values discussed99.7%
  • Bowel care for patients on opioids97.7%
  • Visits in the last days of life72.6%
  • All care steps completed96.2%

Conditions of patients in their care

Share of patients by primary diagnosis. Useful if you want a team with experience in a specific condition.

  • Cancer34%
  • Dementia17%
  • Heart and circulatory disease20%
  • Lung and respiratory disease5%
  • Stroke6%
  • Other conditions19%

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

KPWA Home Health & Hospice

KPWA Home Health & Hospice serves families throughout the Seattle, Washington area. They offer specialized end-of-life care designed to bring comfort and peace to patients in their own homes. Their team focuses on managing physical pain while supporting the emotional needs of your entire family. Choosing the right hospice is a major decision for any household. This provider brings decades of experience to the King County community. They have been helping patients since they first earned Medicare certification in 1988. That is a long history of local service. When you call (206) 326-4545, you can start a conversation about what your loved one needs most right now. The team is ready to listen to your concerns and answer your questions directly.

About KPWA Home Health & Hospice

This provider operates as a non-profit organization. That is a big deal. Non-profits often reinvest their resources directly back into patient care and community programs. They have been a Medicare-certified provider since September 29, 1988. This means they meet strict federal standards for safety and quality. Families should know that this agency is well-established in the Seattle area. Their longevity suggests they have seen many changes in healthcare and know how to adapt to support local needs. What most people do not realize is that non-profit status can sometimes lead to a different focus on mission-driven care. You are looking for a partner who values your loved one's comfort above all else. With over 35 years of experience, this agency has a deep understanding of what families face during these difficult transitions. That experience matters when you need clear answers fast.

Quality Performance Summary

KPWA Home Health & Hospice holds a 5/5 overall star rating from Medicare. They also earned a 5/5 score for their quality of care based on the Hospice Care Index. While their patient satisfaction rating is 3/5, their high clinical scores show a strong commitment to medical excellence.

Understanding Hospice Care in Seattle

Living in Seattle means you have access to a wide range of medical resources. Hospice care is a specific type of support for people with life-limiting illnesses. It is not about giving up. It is about choosing a path that prioritizes quality of life and dignity. The goal is simple. Help the patient stay comfortable in their own home or a familiar setting. King County has several options for care, but not every agency works the same way. Some focus on specific types of illnesses, while others provide broad support for any diagnosis. And here is the thing: the best hospice care happens when the team works as an extension of your own family. They handle the medical tasks so you can focus on being a son, daughter, or spouse. That support makes a world of difference during a very hard time.

What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider

Talking to a hospice agency can feel overwhelming. Take a deep breath and keep these questions handy. First, ask how quickly they can get a nurse 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. You want a team that responds fast when things change. Third, ask what kind of support they offer to family caregivers. Do they have volunteers or counselors who can help you cope? Finally, ask them to explain their care philosophy in simple terms. If they use too much medical jargon, keep looking. You deserve a team that speaks your language. The right provider will be patient and kind while you work through these tough decisions. Trust your gut feeling when you talk to them.

Preserve Your Family's Unique Story

The moments you share with your loved ones are precious. Capture those memories, values, and life lessons now so they can be cherished by your family for generations to come.

Start Preserving Memories

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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.