PUGET SOUND HOSPICE
Provider Information
- Address
- 111 TUMWATER BLVD SE STE A302
TUMWATER, WA 98501 - Ownership Type
- For-Profit
- Medicare Certified Since
- July 20, 2021
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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) | 3 |
| Physicians | 2 |
| Volunteers | 3 |
8
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 PUGET SOUND HOSPICE reported, not a check of what it offers today. Confirm current arrangements with the hospice.
- Short-term inpatient care
- Provided directly by this hospice
- 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 PUGET SOUND HOSPICE compares to hospices nationwide.
8.8 minutes
of nurse care per routine home care day, on average
That is the 14th percentile among hospices nationally. The national median is about 12 minutes.
44
patients in care on an average day
A rough measure of size. Smaller can mean more personal. Larger can mean more resources.
Medicare reports this hospice billed for routine home care only from January 2022 through December 2024. Hospices can also provide continuous home care, inpatient care, and respite care when symptoms are harder to manage. There can be good reasons for this. Ask the provider how they handle a crisis at home.
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 day8.8 min
Ranks better than about 14% 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 weekends7.6%
Ranks better than about 46% 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 life90.7%
Ranks better than about 34% 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 visits73.8%
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 care5.3%
Ranks better than about 58% 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 months39.5%
Ranks better than about 42% 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 hospice2.6%
Ranks better than about 30% 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$14,565 · 31st 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 59% of patients or more. Most hospices score above 90 percent.
- Pain screening100%
- Pain assessment100%
- Breathing difficulty screening100%
- Breathing difficulty treatment100%
- Treatment preferences discussed100%
- Beliefs and values discussed100%
- Bowel care for patients on opioids100%
- Visits in the last days of life59%
- All care steps completed100%
Conditions of patients in their care
Share of patients by primary diagnosis. Useful if you want a team with experience in a specific condition.
- Cancer13%
- Dementia34%
- Heart and circulatory disease10%
- Stroke29%
- Other conditions10%
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, reporting period January 2023 through December 2024. Percentiles are computed by CMS across all reporting hospices.
Puget Sound Hospice in Tumwater
Puget Sound Hospice serves the Tumwater, Washington area from their office at 111 Tumwater Blvd SE. They focus on providing compassionate end-of-life care for families in Thurston County. Choosing the right partner for hospice care is a deeply personal decision. This team works to provide comfort and dignity when your loved one needs it most. They have been helping the community since they earned their Medicare certification on July 20, 2021. The thing is, having a local team nearby can make a big difference during a difficult season. Their staff is dedicated to supporting your family through every step of this journey. Whether you need help with pain management or emotional support, they are ready to step in. It is about making sure your loved one feels safe, heard, and cared for in their own home or a quiet facility nearby.
About Puget Sound Hospice
Puget Sound Hospice operates as a for-profit provider. They have built a reputation based on their commitment to high standards of care. Since their certification began in 2021, they have worked hard to meet federal quality benchmarks. What does this mean for you? It means they follow strict rules set by Medicare to ensure safety and quality. Families should know that hospice care is about more than just medicine. It is about creating moments of peace and connection. This provider focuses on the whole person, not just the diagnosis. That is a big deal when you are looking for long-term support. They aim to ease the burden on caregivers while honoring the wishes of the patient. If you are considering them, take time to talk with their intake team about your specific needs and goals.
Quality Ratings at a Glance
Understanding Hospice Care in Tumwater
Hospice care is a special way of looking at health. It shifts the goal from fixing an illness to making life better today. In Tumwater and across Washington, Medicare covers these services for people with a terminal diagnosis. The care team includes nurses, doctors, social workers, and volunteers. They come to you. This is the heart of the hospice model. You do not have to travel to a hospital for every small need. Instead, the experts come to your living room. It is designed to keep families together in familiar surroundings. That said, hospice is not just for the final days. The most benefit comes when care starts early. It gives the family more time to adjust and find comfort. And honestly, it allows the patient to spend their energy on the people they love most.
What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider
Picking a provider can feel like a heavy task. Start by asking clear questions to find the best fit. Here are a few things to consider during your first meeting. First, ask how quickly a nurse can get to your home if an emergency happens at night. You need to know that help is truly available 24/7. Second, ask how they handle pain and other symptoms. Do they have a specific plan for your loved one? Third, ask how they support the family members. Do they offer grief support or respite care for tired caregivers? Finally, ask about their experience with your specific health needs. Every journey is different. You deserve a team that listens to your story. Do not feel rushed. Take your time to find the people who feel like the right match for your family.
Preserve Your Family's History
Your loved one has a lifetime of wisdom and stories worth saving. We provide tools to help you capture these memories easily and keep them safe for future generations.
Start Preserving StoriesOther Hospice Providers Nearby
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