HospiceScout

DEACONESS HOSPICE

Non-ProfitFreestanding Hospice

Provider Information

Address
611 HARRIETT STREET
EVANSVILLE, IN 47734
Ownership Type
Non-Profit
Medicare Certified Since
August 28, 1992

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CMS Quality Ratings

Overall Rating

Composite score combining quality measures and patient survey results.

Quality of Care

Based on the CMS Hospice Care Index — 10 operational quality indicators including visits near death, nursing minutes, and care transitions.

Patient Satisfaction

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

Staffing breakdown for DEACONESS HOSPICE
RoleStaff Count
Registered Nurses (RN)19
Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN)1
Physicians0
Volunteers1

30

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 DEACONESS HOSPICE reported, not a check of what it offers today. Confirm current arrangements with the hospice.

Short-term inpatient care
Both provided directly and arranged with other facilities

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.

Type of inpatient care
Both general inpatient care and respite care
Medical supplies and equipment
Brought in through an outside supplier

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 DEACONESS HOSPICE compares to hospices nationwide.

15.1 minutes

of nurse care per routine home care day, on average

That is the 77th percentile among hospices nationally. The national median is about 12 minutes.

57

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 day15.1 min

    Ranks better than about 77% 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 life98.3%

    Ranks better than about 88% 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 visits25.1%

    Ranks better than about 84% 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 care7.3%

    Ranks better than about 44% 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 months26%

    Ranks better than about 78% 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 care6.3%

    Ranks better than about 54% 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)100th 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$7,383 · 4th 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 70.1% 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 life70.1%
  • 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.

  • Cancer25%
  • Dementia11%
  • Heart and circulatory disease14%
  • Lung and respiratory disease16%
  • Stroke6%
  • Other conditions30%

Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, reporting period January 2023 through December 2024. Percentiles are computed by CMS across all reporting hospices.

Deaconess Hospice in Evansville

Deaconess Hospice serves the Evansville, Indiana area from their location on Harriett Street. This provider offers end-of-life care for patients within Vanderburgh County and surrounding neighborhoods. They have held Medicare certification for over three decades, starting their service back in 1992. As a non-profit organization, they focus on delivering care that meets federal standards for those needing support during a terminal illness. Their team works to manage symptoms so that patients stay comfortable in their own homes or care facilities. It is a local option for those seeking hospice care that has been in the community for a long time.

About DEACONESS HOSPICE

Deaconess Hospice operates as a non-profit, freestanding hospice agency. Being non-profit often means the agency puts any extra money back into their programs rather than paying owners. They have been Medicare certified since August 1992, which shows a long history of meeting national rules. This provider employs 30 people to help families. Their staff includes 19 registered nurses and one licensed practical nurse who handle clinical needs. They also have one volunteer on their team. Families should know that having a high number of nurses relative to total staff can mean more direct clinical oversight for patients. You can check the official Medicare website for the most recent updates on their status. Understanding how a hospice is run helps you make a better choice for your loved one.

What Is Hospice Care Like in EVANSVILLE?

Hospice care in Evansville focuses on keeping patients comfortable when a cure is no longer the goal. Providers in Vanderburgh County work to manage pain and help with daily needs. Deaconess Hospice contributes to this local care network by using a staff of 30 people. This includes 19 registered nurses who lead the medical side of care. They also use one licensed practical nurse and one volunteer to support patient needs. The goal is to provide care in the place where the patient lives. Most services include regular nurse visits, help with medications, and emotional support for the family. Because they are a freestanding agency, they focus entirely on hospice services rather than other medical care. This allows them to stay centered on the specific needs of hospice patients in the local area.

What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider

Choosing the right hospice is a big decision for your family. You should feel comfortable asking questions before you sign any paperwork. First, ask how quickly a nurse can get to your home if an emergency happens at night or on a weekend. Second, ask how many patients each nurse usually cares for at one time. This helps you know how much time they can spend with your loved one. Third, ask what specific services they offer for family support and grief counseling after a loss. Finally, ask if they have experience with the specific illness your loved one is facing. Getting clear answers helps you understand what to expect. Do not be afraid to ask for more details until you feel sure about your choice.

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