ST CROIX HOSPICE DES PLAINES
Provider Information
- Address
- 11741 SOUTHWEST HIGHWAY
PALOS HEIGHTS, IL 60463 - Ownership Type
- For-Profit
- Medicare Certified Since
- March 20, 2015
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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 |
10
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 ST CROIX HOSPICE DES PLAINES reported, not a check of what it offers today. Confirm current arrangements with the hospice.
- Short-term inpatient care
- Arranged through another hospital or nursing home
- 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 2015.
Care Details from Medicare Data
Medicare computes these numbers from claims and required reporting. They show how ST CROIX HOSPICE DES PLAINES compares to hospices nationwide.
12.9 minutes
of nurse care per routine home care day, on average
That is the 57th percentile among hospices nationally. The national median is about 12 minutes.
40
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 day12.9 min
Ranks better than about 57% 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 weekends8.1%
Ranks better than about 52% 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 life86.9%
Ranks better than about 23% 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 visits69.9%
Ranks better than about 26% 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 care8.1%
Ranks better than about 38% 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 months33.9%
Ranks better than about 58% 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 care16.1%
Ranks better than about 14% 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 hospice3.2%
Ranks better than about 23% 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$16,563 · 42nd 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 8 required care steps for new patients here, completed for 56.3% of patients or more. Most hospices score above 90 percent.
- Pain screening100%
- Pain assessment100%
- Breathing difficulty screening99.4%
- Breathing difficulty treatment100%
- Treatment preferences discussed100%
- Beliefs and values discussed100%
- Visits in the last days of life56.3%
- All care steps completed99.4%
Conditions of patients in their care
Share of patients by primary diagnosis. Useful if you want a team with experience in a specific condition.
- Cancer15%
- Dementia11%
- Heart and circulatory disease13%
- Lung and respiratory disease7%
- Stroke38%
- Other conditions17%
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, reporting period January 2023 through December 2024. Percentiles are computed by CMS across all reporting hospices.
Compassionate Care in Palos Heights
St Croix Hospice Des Plaines provides dedicated end-of-life care for families in the Palos Heights area. Located at 11741 Southwest Highway, this team serves the Cook County community with a focus on comfort and support. They work to ensure patients feel at home while receiving expert medical care. It is about dignity. Families often tell us that having local support makes a world of difference during a tough time. The team is ready to help you navigate these difficult choices with clear answers and a steady hand. They offer a range of hospice services designed to manage pain and improve quality of life. Whether you need help at home or in a facility, they are there to stand by your side. Every patient deserves a plan that fits their unique needs. That is exactly what this team strives to provide every single day.
About ST CROIX HOSPICE DES PLAINES
St Croix Hospice Des Plaines has been Medicare certified since March 20, 2015. As a for-profit provider, they operate under federal guidelines to ensure families receive consistent care. What does this mean for you? It means they are held to national standards for both quality and safety. You should know that for-profit status does not change the core mission of hospice. The mission remains centered on patient comfort and family support. The thing is, choosing a provider is a very personal decision. You want a team that shares your values and responds to your questions quickly. This provider has a history of serving the area for nearly a decade now. That kind of experience builds a foundation of trust. When you meet with them, ask how they tailor their care plans. They should be able to explain how they handle pain management and emotional support for your loved one.
Exceptional Quality Ratings
Understanding Hospice Care in PALOS HEIGHTS
Living in Cook County means you have access to many healthcare options. But hospice is a special kind of care. It focuses on comfort rather than a cure. The team works to treat the whole person, not just the illness. This includes physical, emotional, and spiritual support. Most people don't realize that hospice can be provided in your own home. It can also be provided in nursing homes or dedicated hospice centers. The goal is always to keep the patient as comfortable as possible. You are not alone in this. Many families in Palos Heights find that hospice allows them to spend more quality time together. It takes the burden of care off your shoulders. So, you can focus on being a daughter, son, or spouse. That is the true value of this service. It gives you the gift of time and peace of mind during a season of life that is often very hard.
What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider
Choosing the right hospice partner is a big step. You should feel comfortable asking tough questions. Here are a few things to bring up during your first meeting. First, ask how quickly a nurse can get to your home in an emergency. You need to know that help is available 24/7. Second, ask how they handle pain and symptom management. It is vital that your loved one stays comfortable. Third, ask about the role of volunteers and spiritual counselors on their team. These people often provide the extra support that makes a hard day better. Finally, ask what happens if your loved one's needs change. Can they provide more intensive care if things get difficult? A good provider will have a clear answer for every one of these questions. If they seem rushed or avoid your questions, keep looking. Your family deserves a team that listens and cares deeply about your comfort.
Preserve Your Family's Unique Story
The stories your loved ones tell are treasures that deserve to be kept for future generations. Capturing these memories now creates a lasting legacy of love and wisdom for your family to hold onto forever.
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