American Qlh
A hospice in Visalia, California 93291
5323 W Hillsdale Ave, Visalia, California 93291. (559) 409-2665.
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The short answer
Record last released by CMS on Oct 23, 2026. We couldn’t read Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ list since Oct 27, 2026: qcor.cms.gov now refuses our reader. This record is as of then.
- 7 deficiencies cited in the last three years
- 4of 5 family caregiver rating
- 10of 10 CMS’s Hospice Care Index
Each figure’s source sits beside it, in its section below.
What these words mean3
- Star ratings
- CMS rates some kinds of place from 1 to 5 stars, more stars meaning better on CMS’s own measures for that kind: for a nursing home, its health inspections, staffing and quality measures. A rating is CMS’s summary of those measures; it doesn’t promise good care. Source: CMS, Care Compare and the Five-Star Quality Rating System.
- Inspection (survey)
- A visit by state inspectors, often unannounced, who check a place against the rules it must meet. For nursing homes and other places Medicare pays, CMS calls these visits surveys: a standard survey of a nursing home comes at least every 15 months, and a complaint survey whenever a complaint calls for one. Source: CMS; 42 CFR 488.308.
- Deficiency, citation, violation
- What inspectors write up when a place didn’t meet a rule: the rule, what they saw, and when. CMS calls it a deficiency; states may say citation or violation. It is the inspectors’ finding, not a court’s, and the place is usually asked for a plan to correct it. Source: CMS, statement of deficiencies (Form CMS-2567); each state’s licensing agency.
What did inspectors find?
7 deficiencies cited in the last three years
The middle of the 22 hospices serving ZIP code 93291 had 6.
The last inspection on record was on Mar 4, 2026: a reaccreditation inspection by the Accreditation Commission for Health Care.
CMS, QCOR hospice inspection reports. Released Oct 23, 2026. Updated quarterly.
CMS, Hospice ZIP Data. Released Aug 26, 2026. Updated quarterly.
When those deficiencies happened
7 deficiencies in 1 month of the last 36. Last cited Mar 2026. Most serious: Standard-level. The last 3 years, to Oct 27, 2026.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Nov | Dec | ||||||||||
| 2024 | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
| 2025 | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
| 2026 | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct |
Hover or focus a month to read it.
Hearth Record drew this from the dates and levels in the source’s own records.
Each deficiency, as cited
Rule titles as CMS’s inspectors cite them, set in sentence case.
CMS, QCOR hospice inspection reports. Released Oct 23, 2026. Updated quarterly.
Mar 4, 2026: reaccreditation inspection by the Accreditation Commission for Health Care7 deficiencies
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Content of comprehensive assessment (42 CFR 418.54(c)(4))
“Upon patient record review, 3 of 19 (Patient # 1, 4, and 5) did not have evidence in the patient record that the comprehensive assessment takes into consideration the imminence of death. Patient 1, 4, 5: There is no evidence of imminence of death at start of care in the skilled nurse comprehensive assessment documentation.”
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Content of comprehensive assessment (42 CFR 418.54(c)(6))
The inspectors’ words, 216 words
“Upon patient record review, 5 of 19 (Patient #1, 3, 6, 9 and 10) did not have evidence in the patient record that a review was completed of all prescription and non-prescription medications, including herbal remedies that could affect drug therapy. This review includes, but is not limited to: Patient 1: Upon home visit review, the agency medication profile contains an order for Losartan 50mg 2 tabs daily and ALF medication list contains two orders for Losartan for 50 mg 2 tabs daily and 25mg daily and there is an order for Equate cold and flu medication not included on agency medication list. There is also MiraLAX with no diluent. Patient 3:Upon home visit review, the agency medication profile contains orders for acetaminophen not found at ALF and ALF medication profile contains an order for Milk of Magnesia not on agency medication profile. There is also MiraLAX with no diluent. Patient 6: The medication profile on 02/18/26 contains an order for MiraLAX with no evidence of diluent. Patient 9: The medication profile on 02/18/26 contains an order for MiraLAX with no evidence of diluent. Patient 10: The medication profile on 1/13/26 contains an order for MiraLAX with no evidence of diluent and orders for Lidocaine patch and diclofenac gel with no specification of location to apply.”
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Content of plan of care (42 CFR 418.56(c)(4))
The inspectors’ words, 206 words
“Upon patient record review, 5 of 19 (Patient # 1, 3, 6, 9 and 10) did not have evidence the plan of care must include all services necessary for the palliation and management of the terminal illness and related conditions, including medications and treatments. Patient 1: Upon home visit review, the agency POC contains an order for an order for MiraLAX with no diluent and there is an order for Equate cold and flu medication not included on agency POC. Upon home visit review, the agency medication profile contains an order for Losartan 50mg 2 tabs daily and ALF medication list contains two orders for Losartan for 50 mg 2 tabs daily and 25mg daily, there is no order for 25mg tab. Patient 3:Upon home visit review, the POC contains orders for MiraLAX with no diluent and is missing an order for Milk of Magnesia. Patient 6: The POC on 02/18/26 contains an order for MiraLAX with no evidence of diluent. Patient 9: The POC on 02/18/26 contains an order for MiraLAX with no evidence of diluent. Patient 10: The POC on 2/18/26 contains an order for MiraLAX with no evidence of diluent and Lidocaine patch and diclofenac gel with no specification of where to apply.”
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Review of the plan of care (42 CFR 418.56(d))
The inspectors’ words, 121 words
“Upon client record review, 4 of 19 (Patient # 1, 2, 3 and 4) did not have evidence that the IDG in collaboration with the attending physician reviewed, revised and documents the individualized plan as frequently as the patient’s condition requires but no less frequently then every 15 calendar days. Patient 1: There is no evidence of the MD signature on IDG meeting notes on 1/28/26. Patient 2: There is no evidence of the MD signature on IDG meeting notes on 2/04/26, 1/21/26 and 1/7/26. Patient 3: There is no evidence of the MD signature on IDG meeting notes on 02/04/26, 2/18/26, 1/21/26, and 1/7/26. Patient 4: There is no evidence of the MD signature on IDG meeting notes on 02/11/26.”
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Level of activity (42 CFR 418.78(e))
“Upon observation, there was no evidence the annual report documents the use of volunteers providing day to day administrative and/or direct patient care services in an amount that, at a minimum, equals 5 percent of the total patient care hours of all paid hospice employees and contract personnel. There is no evidence that the agency utilized volunteers for at least 5% of the total patient care hours in 2025. The total usage of volunteers for 2025 was 3.2%.”
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Recertification of the terminal illness (42 CFR 418.102(c))
“Upon client record review, 1 of 19 (Patient # 10) did not have evidence that the physician provides a brief narrative explanation of the clinical findings that supports a life expectancy of 6 months or less as part of the recertification form, or as an addendum to the recertification form. Patient 10: The recertification CTI on 2/24/26 does not have evidence of a physician signature and there is no evidence of a oral/verbal CTI. Per agency policy PE.30 CTI requires physician signature within 2 calendar days for recertification. Policy PE30.”
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Authentication (42 CFR 418.104(b))
The inspectors’ words, 110 words
“Upon patient client record review, 2 of 19 (Patient # 2 and 11) did not have evidence that all entries are legible, clear, complete, and appropriately authenticated and dated in accordance with the organizations policies and procedures and currently accepted standards of practice. Electronic signatures are acceptable as long the hospice is following appropriate safeguards to prevent unauthorized access to the patient records. Patient 2: There is evidence of incomplete SN documentation on recertification on 2/10/26 and is noted SN left and agency unable to obtain corrections from SN who abruptly left company. Patient 11: The Comprehensive SN assessment on 01/31/26 does not have evidence of SN signature and date.”
The one inspection in the last three years
| Date | Visit | What the record says |
|---|---|---|
| Mar 4, 2026 | Reaccreditation inspection by the Accreditation Commission for Health Care | 7 deficiencies cited |
Is it certified?
- Medicare-certified hospice since May 21, 2020.
- Ownership: for-profit.
- No For hospices, home health agencies, hospitals and dialysis facilities, CMS writes deficiencies at two levels. Standard is the usual one; condition-level is the more serious, when a problem is serious enough that the provider doesn’t meet a whole condition of taking part in Medicare. Source: CMS, State Operations Manual. deficiency or CMS’s most serious finding: the place’s failure to meet a rule caused, or was likely to cause, serious injury, harm, impairment or death to someone in its care. Source: CMS; 42 CFR 489.3. on record in the last three years.
CMS, Hospice General Information. Released Aug 26, 2026. Updated quarterly.
CMS, QCOR hospice inspection reports. Released Oct 23, 2026. Updated quarterly.
Has anything been proven against it?
- CMS doesn’t publish fines or other penalties for hospices, so none are shown.
- 0 deficiencies cited in the last three years came from inspections that included a complaint investigation.
CMS, QCOR hospice inspection reports. Released Oct 23, 2026. Updated quarterly.
Who does the caring?
- From Medicare claims (Jan 1, 2023 to Dec 31, 2024): 9.8 nurse care minutes per routine home care day, 5.3% of skilled nursing minutes at weekends and a visit near death for 95.2% of patients who died.
- Where its patients were cared for (Jan 1, 2024 to Dec 31, 2024): 56% at home, 32% in assisted living, 12% in a skilled nursing facility.
CMS, Hospice Provider Data. Released Aug 26, 2026. Updated quarterly.
| Measure | This provider |
|---|---|
| Nurse care minutes per routine home care day | 9.8 min |
| Skilled nursing minutes at weekends | 5.3% |
| Visits near death | 95.2% of patients who died |
Who owns it?
- 10 owners or officers are people: Darren B Peterson (owns 5% or more directly, 50%); Darren B Peterson (corporate officer, 50%); Darren B Peterson (corporate director, 50%); Darren B Peterson (managing employee (on the payroll), 50%); Corwyn D Oldfield (owns 5% or more directly, 40%); Corwyn D Oldfield (corporate officer, 40%); Frank Saucedo (owns 5% or more directly, 10%); Frank Saucedo (corporate officer, 10%); Gurtej Dhillon (managing employee (under contract), 0%); Fahad Hashmat (managing employee (under contract)).
- No private-equity firm among the owners CMS lists.
- No real-estate investment trust among the owners CMS lists.
CMS, Hospice All Owners and Hospice Enrollments. Released Sep 29, 2026. Updated quarterly.
What do families say?
- Family caregivers rate it 4 of 5 in CMS’s survey (Oct 1, 2023 to Sep 30, 2025): 86% rated it 9 or 10 out of 10, and 90% would definitely recommend it.
- CMS’s Hospice Care Index: 10 of 10 (Jan 1, 2023 to Dec 31, 2024).
- 92.96% of patients were assessed on all seven of CMS’s measures at the start of care (Oct 1, 2024 to Sep 30, 2025); 19.1% had visits from a nurse or social worker on at least 2 of their last 3 days (Jan 1, 2023 to Dec 31, 2024).
CMS, CAHPS Hospice Survey and Hospice Provider Data. Released Aug 26, 2026. Updated quarterly.
| Measure | Rating |
|---|---|
| Family caregiver survey ratingCMS star rating from its survey of patients’ family caregivers, 1 to 5 | 4 of 5 |
| Hospice Care IndexCMS’s Hospice Care Index, 0 to 10 (higher is better): a point for each of ten measures from Medicare claims on which the hospice meets CMS’s threshold | 10 of 10 |
How does it compare nearby?
- Of the 22 hospices CMS’s data show serving patients in ZIP code 93291, where this hospice’s office is, the middle number of deficiencies cited in the last three years was 6; this one had 7.
CMS, Hospice ZIP Data. Released Aug 26, 2026. Updated quarterly.
CMS, QCOR hospice inspection reports. Released Oct 23, 2026. Updated quarterly.
| Place | Deficiencies, 3 years |
|---|---|
| Kaweah Health Hospice | 10 |
| American Qlh This hospice | 7 |
| Infinite Heart Hospice | 5 |
| Seva Hospice | Not given |
| Adventist Health Home Care Services | 0 |
| Gentiva | 18 |
| Bristol Hospice Fresno | 4 |
| Community Professional Hospice Care, LLC | 3 |
| Ardent Hospice of Fresno | 23 |
| Blessed Care Hospice Inc. | Not given |
| Valley Regional Hospice Inc. | 4 |
| Ardent Hospice of the Valley | 10 |
What the record doesn’t say
- CMS doesn’t publish fines or other penalties for hospices, so none are shown.
- Only complaints that led to a citation appear; complaints that didn’t aren’t published.
- CMS ended its Special Focus Program for hospices with serious problems on Feb 14, 2025, so no hospice is marked as one.
- Hospice quality measures have a gap from October 2025: CMS replaced its patient assessment then, and public results from the new one (HOPE) are expected around November 2027.
Sources
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Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, Hospice General Information (yc9t-dgbk).
Released Aug 26, 2026 and checked Oct 27, 2026. Updated quarterly. Public domain (U.S. Government work).
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Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, Hospice Provider Data (252m-zfp9).
Released Aug 26, 2026 and checked Oct 27, 2026. Updated quarterly. Public domain (U.S. Government work).
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Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, CAHPS Hospice Survey (gxki-hrr8).
Released Aug 26, 2026 and checked Oct 27, 2026. Updated quarterly. Public domain (U.S. Government work).
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Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, QCOR hospice inspection reports (Hospice Survey Reports - Oct 2021 through Sep 2026.xlsx).
Released Oct 23, 2026 and checked Oct 27, 2026. Updated quarterly. Public domain (U.S. Government work).
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Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, Hospice All Owners (e983965e-1603-4cb8-82b5-c40090e380d1).
Released Sep 29, 2026 and checked Oct 27, 2026. Updated quarterly. Public domain (U.S. Government work).
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Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, Hospice Enrollments (25704213-e833-4b8b-9dbc-58dd17149209).
Released Sep 29, 2026 and checked Oct 27, 2026. Updated quarterly. Public domain (U.S. Government work).
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Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, Hospice ZIP Data (95rg-2usp).
Released Aug 26, 2026 and checked Oct 27, 2026. Updated quarterly. Public domain (U.S. Government work).
If you believe something here is wrong, a correction starts with the agency whose record this copies: CMS. CMS’s own record is on Care Compare. If Hearth Record copied something wrongly, it will fix it and log the correction publicly, with its date: how corrections work.
This copy of the record was made on Oct 27, 2026.
From the hospice
The public record above comes first. Anything the hospice adds will appear here, below it, and say who wrote it.
Replies
None. Replies aren’t open yet. When they open, the hospice will be able to answer any finding for free, and the reply will show beside that finding, unedited and dated.
Paid listing
None. Paid listings aren’t open yet. When they open, anything paid for will say “Paid by the hospice”, and paying will never change a finding, a rating or the order of results.