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 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) | 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 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 life68.1%
- 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.
- Cancer33%
- Dementia19%
- Heart and circulatory disease14%
- Lung and respiratory disease10%
- Other conditions23%
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, reporting period January 2023 through December 2024. Percentiles are computed by CMS across all reporting hospices.
Overview of Care
Ouachita County Medical Center Hospice serves residents in Camden, Arkansas. This provider operates as a non-profit organization focused on end-of-life support. They have provided services to the community since 1986. Families in Ouachita County can access their care directly through the hospital system. The agency maintains a team of medical professionals to help manage patient needs. Choosing a local provider often helps families stay close to home during difficult times. Their long history of service shows they are well-established in the area.
About OUACHITA COUNTY MEDICAL CENTER HOSPICE
This hospice functions as part of a hospital. Being non-profit means they focus on patient needs rather than earning money for owners. They have held Medicare certification for nearly four decades. This length of service indicates they follow strict federal rules for health care. Families should know that hospital-based hospice programs often have access to more medical resources. You might find this helpful if your loved one has complex health issues. The team includes 14 employees who handle daily care. They also work with 22 volunteers to provide extra support for families. These volunteers offer a layer of social connection that many patients find helpful. It is common for hospital-based teams to work closely with your existing doctors. This helps keep your care plan consistent from the start.
Quality Performance
What Is Hospice Care Like in CAMDEN?
Hospice care in this part of Arkansas focuses on comfort and relief. The goal is to improve quality of life for the patient. You can expect a team approach to daily tasks. At this facility, the staff includes five registered nurses and two licensed practical nurses. These nurses visit patients to monitor symptoms and manage pain. Two doctors lead the medical decisions for the hospice program. This ensures that a physician oversees your care plan at every step. The team works to keep patients comfortable in their own homes or in a hospital setting. They talk with you often to explain what to expect next. It is a team effort. Each member of the staff plays a specific role in supporting the patient and the family members involved.
What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider
You should feel comfortable asking questions before you sign any paperwork. Start by asking how quickly a nurse can arrive if a problem happens at night. You should also ask how the team will help manage specific symptoms like pain or trouble breathing. Ask about their volunteer program and what tasks those volunteers can perform for your family. It is wise to ask how often a doctor will review the patient chart. Do they use a specific system to keep your family doctor in the loop? Make sure you understand the difference between routine home care and more intense support. A good provider will answer these questions clearly and with patience. They want you to feel confident in the care plan. Take your time to get the answers you need.
Preserve Your Family History
Capture the stories and memories that define your family during this meaningful time.
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Understanding Medicare Hospice Benefits: A Family Guide
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How to Choose a Hospice Provider: A Family’s Complete Guide
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