ROCK RIVER HOSPICE AND HOME
Provider Information
- Address
- 2706 AVENUE E
STERLING, IL 61081 - Ownership Type
- Non-Profit
- Medicare Certified Since
- March 25, 1993
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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) | 2 |
| Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN) | 3 |
| Physicians | 2 |
| Volunteers | 1 |
18
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 ROCK RIVER HOSPICE AND HOME 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 2022.
Care Details from Medicare Data
Medicare computes these numbers from claims and required reporting. They show how ROCK RIVER HOSPICE AND HOME compares to hospices nationwide.
21.1 minutes
of nurse care per routine home care day, on average
That is the 96th percentile among hospices nationally. The national median is about 12 minutes.
13
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 day21.1 min
Ranks better than about 96% 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 weekends15.9%
Ranks better than about 89% 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 life97.7%
Ranks better than about 84% 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 visits3.5%
Ranks better than about 99% 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 care6.9%
Ranks better than about 46% 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 months13.8%
Ranks better than about 93% 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 care0%
Ranks better than about 81% 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)99th 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$5,125 · 1st 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 67.8% of patients or more. Most hospices score above 90 percent.
- Pain screening100%
- Pain assessment76.5%
- Breathing difficulty screening97.8%
- Breathing difficulty treatment79.1%
- Treatment preferences discussed100%
- Beliefs and values discussed100%
- Bowel care for patients on opioids85.7%
- Visits in the last days of life67.8%
- All care steps completed73.0%
Conditions of patients in their care
Share of patients by primary diagnosis. Useful if you want a team with experience in a specific condition.
- Cancer34%
- Dementia10%
- Heart and circulatory disease12%
- Lung and respiratory disease12%
- Other conditions30%
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Percentiles are computed by CMS across all reporting hospices.
Rock River Hospice and Home
Rock River Hospice and Home serves families in Sterling, Illinois. This nonprofit provider offers hospice services to people in Whiteside County. They have been certified by Medicare since 1993. Their team works to support patients and their loved ones during difficult times. Choosing a local provider often helps families stay close to home. The staff focuses on comfort and care for every person they serve. This is a freestanding hospice organization with a history of serving the area for many years.
About Rock River Hospice and Home
This is a nonprofit organization. Nonprofit status means the agency often puts all money back into patient care. They earned their Medicare certification in March of 1993. That longevity shows a long commitment to the Sterling community. Families should know that Medicare certification means they follow strict federal rules for safety and quality. These rules cover everything from how they hire staff to how they manage pain medication for patients. You can feel better knowing they meet these national standards. The agency employs a team of eighteen people. This includes two registered nurses and three licensed practical nurses. They also have two physicians and one volunteer on staff. Having a small, dedicated group can lead to more personal attention for your loved one. It is a good idea to ask how this mix of staff works together to support your family's needs each day.
Quality Overview
What Is Hospice Care Like in Sterling?
Hospice care in this area focuses on comfort and quality of life. The team in Sterling works to manage pain and other symptoms at home. You will find that hospice is not just about medical care. It is about emotional support for the whole family as well. The staff includes two registered nurses and three licensed practical nurses who visit patients. Two physicians provide medical oversight to ensure the plan of care is right for each person. One volunteer also contributes to the team efforts. This setup allows for a focused approach to care in the comfort of your own home. Having local professionals means they know the community well. They can help connect you with local resources if you need extra support. Most families find that having this team involved helps reduce stress during a hard time.
What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider
You should feel empowered to ask questions before you pick a provider. Start by asking how quickly a nurse can get to your home if an emergency happens at night. It is also wise to ask how the team manages pain and other symptoms. You might want to know how often a nurse will visit your loved one each week. Ask them how they help family members cope with the stress of caregiving. These questions will help you see if their approach fits your family's needs. Do not be afraid to ask for clear answers. You deserve to understand exactly what kind of support you will receive. Good providers will be happy to explain their process to you in simple terms.
Preserve Your Family Stories
Capture memories and voices of your loved ones to keep their stories alive for future generations.
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