MERCY HOSPICE
Provider Information
- Address
- 6801 ROGERS AVE.
FORT SMITH, AR 72903 - Ownership Type
- Non-Profit
- Medicare Certified Since
- February 27, 1987
Are you this hospice's administrator? Update your information
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) | 14 |
| Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN) | 3 |
| Physicians | 2 |
| Volunteers | 3 |
33
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 MERCY 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 2019.
Care Details from Medicare Data
Medicare computes these numbers from claims and required reporting. They show how MERCY HOSPICE compares to hospices nationwide.
11.8 minutes
of nurse care per routine home care day, on average
That is the 45th percentile among hospices nationally. The national median is about 12 minutes.
60
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 day11.8 min
Ranks better than about 45% 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 weekends7.7%
Ranks better than about 47% 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 life90.9%
Ranks better than about 35% 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 visits57.4%
Ranks better than about 43% 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 care13%
Ranks better than about 13% 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 months30.9%
Ranks better than about 66% 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 care7.3%
Ranks better than about 49% 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 hospice0.8%
Ranks better than about 53% 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)97th 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$6,084 · 2nd 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 43.8% of patients or more. Most hospices score above 90 percent.
- Pain screening99.4%
- Pain assessment94.7%
- Breathing difficulty screening99.4%
- Breathing difficulty treatment98.2%
- Treatment preferences discussed100%
- Beliefs and values discussed100%
- Bowel care for patients on opioids100%
- Visits in the last days of life43.8%
- All care steps completed93%
Conditions of patients in their care
Share of patients by primary diagnosis. Useful if you want a team with experience in a specific condition.
- Cancer31%
- Dementia7%
- Heart and circulatory disease14%
- Lung and respiratory disease13%
- Stroke10%
- Other conditions25%
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, reporting period January 2023 through December 2024. Percentiles are computed by CMS across all reporting hospices.
Providing Compassionate Care in Fort Smith
Mercy Hospice serves families throughout Fort Smith, Arkansas, and the surrounding Sebastian County area. They focus on comfort, dignity, and quality of life for those facing a life-limiting illness. Choosing the right hospice team is a deeply personal decision. Mercy Hospice offers specialized end-of-life support to help patients stay comfortable at home. Their team works hard to manage pain and provide emotional support when it matters most. It is about making every day count. That is their main goal. For many in the community, having local support makes a world of difference during a difficult season. The team is ready to walk this path with you and your loved ones.
About Mercy Hospice
Mercy Hospice has been a Medicare-certified provider since February 1987. That is over three decades of service to the Arkansas community. As a non-profit organization, they focus their resources on patient care rather than profits. This matters for families who want a team dedicated to service. You will find their office at 6801 Rogers Ave in Fort Smith. Being a long-standing provider means they have deep roots in the local medical system. They understand the specific needs of the families in this region. You can reach them directly at (479) 314-1150 to learn more about their specific programs. When you call, ask them how their non-profit status shapes the way they care for patients. It often changes the focus of their daily work in a positive way.
Quality Care Insights
Understanding Hospice Care in Fort Smith
Hospice is not just a place you go. It is a type of care that comes to you. In Fort Smith, hospice teams usually include nurses, aides, social workers, and chaplains. They all work together to support the patient and the entire family unit. The thing is, many people wait too long to call for help. You do not have to wait for a crisis to start the conversation. Medicare covers hospice services when a doctor confirms a life expectancy of six months or less. But you can always ask for an evaluation sooner. The goal is to ease symptoms and help everyone focus on spending time together. It is about adding life to days, not just days to life. That is the true heart of hospice care in our community.
What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider
Do not be afraid to interview several providers before you choose. You deserve to feel comfortable with the people entering your home. Here are a few simple questions to get you started. First, ask how quickly a nurse can get to your home if an emergency happens at night. Second, ask how they handle pain and breathing issues. You need a team that acts fast. Third, ask what kind of support they offer for the family after a loss. Grief support is a huge part of the process. Finally, ask about their volunteer services. Volunteers can sit with a patient so a caregiver can run an errand or rest. These small things make a big impact on your daily life.
Preserve Your Family's History
Your loved one has a lifetime of wisdom and stories worth keeping. We can help you save those memories for future generations.
Start Recording StoriesOther Hospice Providers Nearby
AREA AGENCY ON AGING OF WESTERN ARKANSAS INC
HEART OF HOSPICE, LLC
GENTIVA
LIFETOUCH HEALTH HOSPICE CARE
LESTER DIERKSEN MEMORIAL HOSPICE, LLC
HOSPICE HOME CARE OF PINE BLUFF PLLC
Helpful Guides for Families
10 Essential Hospice Questions for Evaluating Providers
Evaluating hospice care for a loved one? Use these 10 essential hospice questions to interview providers and ensure your family receives the best possible support.
How to Choose a Hospice Provider: A Family’s Complete Guide
Feeling overwhelmed? Our hospice selection guide helps you compare providers, understand Medicare benefits, and make the best choice for your loved one today.
Understanding Hospice Levels of Care: A Family Guide
Navigating end-of-life care is hard. Our guide to understanding hospice levels of care helps you make informed choices for your loved one with confidence.
Some stories are worth writing down
Between the calls and the paperwork, many families wish they had asked more about the person at the center of it all. A recorded conversation, a favorite recipe, the story behind an old photo. Small things now can mean a great deal later. Our legacy guides show simple ways to start.