ST CROIX HOSPICE
Provider Information
- Address
- 1555 SE DELAWARE SUITE Q
ANKENY, IA 50021 - Ownership Type
- For-Profit
- Medicare Certified Since
- October 5, 2007
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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) | 9 |
| Physicians | 0 |
| Volunteers | 0 |
29
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 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 2021.
Care Details from Medicare Data
Medicare computes these numbers from claims and required reporting. They show how ST CROIX HOSPICE compares to hospices nationwide.
14.7 minutes
of nurse care per routine home care day, on average
That is the 74th percentile among hospices nationally. The national median is about 12 minutes.
113
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 day14.7 min
Ranks better than about 74% 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 weekends9.6%
Ranks better than about 67% 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 life96.8%
Ranks better than about 77% 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 visits36.4%
Ranks better than about 71% 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 care5.4%
Ranks better than about 57% 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 months56.9%
Ranks better than about 10% 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 care6.9%
Ranks better than about 51% 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$15,035 · 33rd 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 85.9% of patients or more. Most hospices score above 90 percent.
- Pain screening99.8%
- Pain assessment100%
- Breathing difficulty screening100%
- Breathing difficulty treatment99.5%
- Treatment preferences discussed100%
- Beliefs and values discussed100%
- Bowel care for patients on opioids100%
- Visits in the last days of life85.9%
- All care steps completed99.6%
Conditions of patients in their care
Share of patients by primary diagnosis. Useful if you want a team with experience in a specific condition.
- Cancer13%
- Dementia28%
- Heart and circulatory disease25%
- Lung and respiratory disease8%
- Stroke13%
- Other conditions15%
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, reporting period January 2023 through December 2024. Percentiles are computed by CMS across all reporting hospices.
St. Croix Hospice in Ankeny
St. Croix Hospice serves families throughout the Ankeny, Iowa area. They offer comfort-focused care for patients facing life-limiting illnesses. Their team works right out of their office at 1555 SE Delaware Suite Q in Polk County. The goal is to provide relief from pain and emotional support during a difficult time. You can reach their local office at (515) 276-2700 to learn more about their specific programs. They focus on keeping patients comfortable in their own homes or care facilities. That is the core mission of their hospice team. They are ready to help you and your loved ones navigate these choices today.
About St. Croix Hospice
St. Croix Hospice operates as a for-profit hospice provider. They have been Medicare certified since October 5, 2007. That is nearly two decades of experience serving the community. When you look for a hospice, you should know that Medicare certification means they must meet strict federal standards. This covers everything from the training of their nurses to how they manage medicine. The thing is, choosing a provider is a very personal decision. You need to feel comfortable with the staff who will come into your home. Their long history in the field shows they have been doing this work for a long time. It is a big deal to have a partner you can trust when things get tough. Families should always ask about how the team handles after-hours calls and weekend support.
Quality Performance Snapshot
Understanding Hospice Care in Ankeny
Hospice care in Iowa is about dignity. It is not about giving up. It is about choosing to live your final months with as much peace as possible. In a growing city like Ankeny, families have access to several hospice options. But not all providers are the same. Some focus on specific types of illnesses, while others offer a broader range of support services. The thing to remember is that hospice is a team effort. You get a nurse, a social worker, and often a chaplain or volunteer. They all work together to support the patient and the family. Most people don't realize that hospice can actually be provided wherever the patient calls home. That could be a private house, an apartment, or a local assisted living center. It is a flexible service designed to fit your life.
What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider
Choosing the right team is hard. You should feel empowered to ask tough questions early on. Start with these three points to get the clarity you deserve. First, ask how quickly a nurse can get to your home if an emergency happens in the middle of the night. You need to know that help is just a phone call away. Second, ask how they support the family after the patient passes. Grief support is a huge part of what a good hospice does. Finally, ask about their experience with your loved one’s specific health condition. Some teams have special training for complex cases. Listen to your gut when they answer. If the team seems rushed or uses words you do not understand, keep looking. You deserve a partner who speaks to you with kindness and patience.
Preserve Your Family's History
Your loved one has a lifetime of stories that deserve to be remembered. We can help you capture these memories in a simple way for future generations to cherish forever.
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