About Lower Columbia Hospice
Hospice overview and quality summary
Lower Columbia Hospice is a nonprofit hospice care provider in Astoria, OR, serving patients and families in Clatsop County and the surrounding area. Medicare certified since 1991, Lower Columbia Hospice has provided 35 years of end-of-life and palliative care to the community.
Lower Columbia Hospice serves an average of 38 patients per day, covering 16 ZIP codes across its service area. 68% of care is delivered in patients' homes, consistent with the hospice philosophy of enabling comfort care in familiar surroundings.
Lower Columbia Hospice has earned a 4-star CMS quality rating based on caregiver survey results, reflecting strong satisfaction across communication, symptom management, and emotional support. The facility's Hospice Care Index score is 7 out of 10, a composite measure of care quality and efficiency. 10 physicians are affiliated with this hospice.
When choosing hospice care in Astoria, OR, consider quality ratings, caregiver satisfaction surveys, the hospice's experience with your loved one's condition, and the service area. Since hospice care is typically delivered in the home, the responsiveness and availability of the care team are critical factors.
At a Glance
Caregiver Satisfaction
CAHPS Hospice Survey results from bereaved family caregivers
Very Good
CMS CAHPS Hospice Star Rating
Lower Columbia Hospice has earned a 4-star quality rating from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), based on the CAHPS Hospice Survey of bereaved family caregivers. This rating reflects above-average satisfaction across emotional support, symptom management, team communication, and respect. This places Lower Columbia Hospice among the higher-rated hospice providers serving families in Astoria, OR.
Emotional & Spiritual Support
How well the hospice team provided emotional and spiritual support
95% of caregivers gave Lower Columbia Hospice a top rating for emotional & spiritual support, above the national average of 90%.
Treated with Respect
Whether the patient was treated with dignity and respect
92% of caregivers gave a top rating for treated with respect, consistent with the national average of 90%.
Help with Symptoms
How well the hospice team managed pain and other symptoms
79% of caregivers gave Lower Columbia Hospice a top rating for help with symptoms, above the national average of 74%.
Team Communication
How well the hospice team communicated with the family
86% of caregivers gave Lower Columbia Hospice a top rating for team communication, above the national average of 81%.
Getting Timely Care
Whether the patient received help as soon as it was needed
84% of caregivers gave Lower Columbia Hospice a top rating for getting timely care, above the national average of 77%.
Training for Family Caregivers
Whether sufficient training was provided to care for the patient
75% of caregivers gave a top rating for training for family caregivers, consistent with the national average of 75%.
Overall Rating (9-10)
Percentage of caregivers rating the hospice 9 or 10 out of 10
85% of caregivers gave Lower Columbia Hospice a top rating for overall rating (9-10), above the national average of 81%.
Would Recommend
Percentage of caregivers who would definitely recommend this hospice
90% of caregivers gave Lower Columbia Hospice a top rating for would recommend, above the national average of 84%.
Source: CMS CAHPS Hospice Survey · Vertical markers indicate national average
Quality Process Measures
CMS hospice care quality indicators vs. national benchmarks
Treatment Preferences Documented
Patients whose treatment preferences were discussed and documented
100.0%
Natl: 99.5%
Beliefs & Values Addressed
Patients whose beliefs and values were addressed in the plan of care
100.0%
Natl: 98.3%
Pain Screening
Patients screened for pain upon hospice admission
99.5%
Natl: 98.3%
Comprehensive Pain Assessment
Patients with pain who received a comprehensive pain assessment
100.0%
Natl: 94.8%
Dyspnea Screening
Patients screened for shortness of breath upon admission
100.0%
Natl: 99.0%
Dyspnea Treatment
Patients with dyspnea who received treatment within 24 hours
96.6%
Natl: 97.4%
Opioid Bowel Regimen
Patients on opioids who were offered a bowel regimen
97.0%
Natl: 93.2%
Composite Process Score
Composite measure of all hospice care process quality measures
97.3%
Natl: 91.6%
Hospice Care Index
Composite quality score with 10 sub-measures
Overall HCI Score
National average: 8.8/10
Lower Columbia Hospice's Hospice Care Index (HCI) score is 7 out of 10, below the national average of 8.8. The HCI evaluates hospices on nursing visit continuity, care transitions, spending efficiency, and presence in the final days.
35.9% of Lower Columbia Hospice's patients received visits from the hospice team in their final days of life, below the national average of 47.9%. Families may want to discuss end-of-life visit availability with this hospice.
Visits Near Death
Patients with visits in last 3 days of life
82.5%
Natl: 89.5%
Nurse Care Minutes
Average nurse care minutes per routine home care day
13.5
Natl: 13.4
Weekend Nursing
Percentage of skilled nursing minutes on weekends
1.3%
Natl: 9.2%
Gaps in Nursing Visits
Stays with gaps in skilled nursing visits
32.6%
Natl: 55.4%
Early Live Discharges
Patients discharged alive within 3 days
5.3%
Natl: 7.2%
Late Live Discharges
Patients discharged alive after enrollment
36.8%
Natl: 40%
Burdensome Transitions (Type 1)
Hospice-to-acute-care transitions near death
0%
Natl: 8%
Burdensome Transitions (Type 2)
Acute care admissions near death
5.3%
Natl: 2.3%
CHC/GIP Days
Continuous home care & general inpatient days as share of total
0%
Natl: 0.6%
Per-Beneficiary Spending
Average Medicare spending per hospice beneficiary
$13,700
Natl: $16,971
Patient Population
Primary diagnoses of hospice patients
Lower Columbia Hospice's patient population is primarily composed of individuals with cancer (33%), followed by cardiovascular disease (18%), dementia (18%), other conditions (18%), respiratory disease (7%), stroke (7%). While cancer has historically been the most common hospice diagnosis, the proportion of non-cancer patients has grown substantially over the past decade.
Care Settings
Where hospice care is delivered
Lower Columbia Hospice delivers 68% of its care in patients' homes, with 28% in assisted living settings, 3% in skilled nursing settings. The hospice serves an average of 38 patients per day.
Patient's Home
Assisted Living
Skilled Nursing
Doctors at Lower Columbia Hospice
10 affiliated physicians
Dr. Alexander Gloria, MD
Family Practice
Dr. Angela Nairn, MD
Family Practice
Dr. Dominique Greco, MD
Family Practice
Dr. Anisa Richardson, MD
Family Practice
Dr. Rebecca Rueppel
Family Practice
Dr. Kevin Baxter, DO
Family Practice
Dr. Aaron Brown, MD
Internal Medicine
Dr. Jennifer Brown, MD
Family Practice
Dr. Gianna Luchetti, MD
Family Practice
Dr. Julie Paquette, MD
Family Practice
Patient Reviews
Reviews and ratings from patients
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Frequently Asked Questions
About Lower Columbia Hospice
What is the CMS rating for Lower Columbia Hospice?
Lower Columbia Hospice has a 4-star quality rating from CMS based on the CAHPS Hospice Survey of bereaved family caregivers, which evaluates satisfaction across areas including symptom management, communication, and emotional support.
What conditions does Lower Columbia Hospice primarily treat?
Lower Columbia Hospice's patient population includes cancer (33%), cardiovascular disease (18%), dementia (18%), other conditions (18%), respiratory disease (7%), stroke (7%). This reflects the hospice's experience managing these conditions.
Where does Lower Columbia Hospice provide care?
Lower Columbia Hospice provides care in patient's home (68%), assisted living (28%), skilled nursing (3%).
How large is Lower Columbia Hospice?
Lower Columbia Hospice serves an average of 38 patients per day and covers 16 ZIP codes in its service area.
How many doctors are affiliated with Lower Columbia Hospice?
10 physicians are affiliated with Lower Columbia Hospice.
Data source: CMS Hospice Compare · CAHPS Hospice Survey ·