OUACHITA COUNTY MEDICAL CENTER HOSPICE
Provider Information
- Address
- 726 CALIFORNIA AVENUE SW
CAMDEN, AR 71701 - Ownership Type
- Non-Profit
- Medicare Certified Since
- November 26, 1986
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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 August 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) | 5 |
| Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN) | 2 |
| Physicians | 2 |
| Volunteers | 22 |
14
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 OUACHITA COUNTY MEDICAL CENTER 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 2020.
Care Details from Medicare Data
Medicare computes these numbers from claims and required reporting. They show how OUACHITA COUNTY MEDICAL CENTER HOSPICE compares to hospices nationwide.
10.2 minutes
of nurse care per routine home care day, on average
That is the 27th percentile among hospices nationally. The national median is about 12 minutes.
24
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 day10.2 min
Ranks better than about 27% 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 weekends5.4%
Ranks better than about 19% 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 life97.1%
Ranks better than about 80% 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 visits27.6%
Ranks better than about 81% 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 care9.1%
Ranks better than about 32% 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 months45.5%
Ranks better than about 26% 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 care4.5%
Ranks better than about 64% 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%
Ranks better than about 55% 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$14,621 · 32nd 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 68.1% of patients or more. Most hospices score above 90 percent.
- Pain screening100%
- Pain assessment98.0%
- 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 life68.1%
- All care steps completed99.1%
Conditions of patients in their care
Share of patients by primary diagnosis. Useful if you want a team with experience in a specific condition.
- Cancer33%
- Dementia19%
- Heart and circulatory disease14%
- Lung and respiratory disease10%
- Other conditions23%
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Percentiles are computed by CMS across all reporting hospices.
About Ouachita County Medical Center Hospice
Ouachita County Medical Center Hospice provides end of life care services to families in Camden, Arkansas. This hospice team works from a hospital base to bring support directly to your home. They have served the area since 1986. That is a long history of serving this community. Medicare recognizes them as a certified provider for those who need comfort during a serious illness. Choosing a local team can help keep your loved one in a familiar environment.
About Ouachita County Medical Center Hospice
This hospice operates as a non-profit organization. Being non-profit means they often reinvest their resources back into patient services. They have been certified by Medicare for nearly four decades. This longevity shows a steady commitment to meeting federal quality standards. You may want to know that their team includes 14 staff members. They have 5 registered nurses and 2 licensed practical nurses on their payroll. They also have 2 physicians and 22 volunteers ready to assist. Having a large group of volunteers is a special part of their care model. It allows them to offer extra companionship and support to your family members. You should always check if these resources meet your specific needs during your first conversation with them.
Quality Performance
What Is Hospice Care Like in Camden?
Hospice care focuses on comfort rather than a cure. It brings medical experts to your door so your loved one can stay at home. The team in Camden includes nurses, doctors, and trained volunteers. These people work together to manage pain and help with daily needs. You can expect regular visits from the staff to check on symptoms. The nurses look after medical tasks while the volunteers provide social support. They aim to improve the quality of each day for the patient. You get to decide how much help you want. And you stay in charge of the care plan at all times. This setup helps families spend more time together without the stress of hospital travel. It is a way to find peace at home.
What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider
You need to feel good about the team you pick. Start by asking how quickly a nurse can arrive if a problem happens at night. You should also ask how they handle pain medicine and equipment delivery. Ask if their volunteers can help with errands or sitting with the patient. It is also wise to ask how they communicate with your family doctor. Knowing these details helps you feel ready. Ask them how they handle emergencies after business hours. You might also ask if they have experience with the specific illness your loved one is facing. Getting clear answers will help you make a choice that fits your family. Be sure to speak with them directly to see if their style matches your needs.
Preserve Your Family Stories
The time you spend with your loved ones is precious. We can help you record and save the stories that matter most for future generations.
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