ST CROIX HOSPICE
Provider Information
- Address
- 1920 RUE STREET SUITE 3
CO BLUFFS, IA 51503 - Ownership Type
- For-Profit
- Medicare Certified Since
- February 5, 2013
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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) | 10 |
| Physicians | 0 |
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 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.
15.5 minutes
of nurse care per routine home care day, on average
That is the 79th percentile among hospices nationally. The national median is about 12 minutes.
130
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 day15.5 min
Ranks better than about 79% 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 weekends9.8%
Ranks better than about 68% 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 life97.1%
Ranks better than about 80% 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 visits34.1%
Ranks better than about 74% 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 care7.8%
Ranks better than about 40% 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 months35%
Ranks better than about 55% 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 care10.7%
Ranks better than about 32% 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 hospice3.9%
Ranks better than about 17% 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$13,330 · 24th 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 57.3% 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 life57.3%
- 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%
- Dementia23%
- Heart and circulatory disease20%
- Lung and respiratory disease8%
- Stroke8%
- Other conditions17%
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Percentiles are computed by CMS across all reporting hospices.
St. Croix Hospice in Council Bluffs
St. Croix Hospice operates in Council Bluffs, Iowa, to provide end-of-life care for local families. This provider is a freestanding hospice that has served the community since early 2013. They hold accreditation from the Accreditation Commission for Health Care, also known as ACHC. This status shows they meet specific standards for patient safety and care quality. Their team works to support patients who need comfort and relief from symptoms during a terminal illness. Choosing a provider with this level of oversight gives families a clear picture of the care standards in place. They focus on meeting the needs of those facing life-limiting conditions in the Pottawattamie County area.
About St. Croix Hospice
St. Croix Hospice is a for-profit organization. They have maintained Medicare certification for over a decade. The ACHC accreditation they hold means an outside group checked their work against national standards. These groups look at everything from clinical records to how the agency handles emergencies. It is a rigorous process that requires the hospice to prove they follow best practices every single day. For families, this serves as a sign that the agency cares about keeping their systems in order. The agency employs 30 people to manage their services. This includes a team of 10 registered nurses who handle the medical needs of patients. Having a clear staff structure helps ensure that care is delivered by trained professionals. You should look for these signs of stability when you review hospice options for your loved one.
Quality Overview
What Is Hospice Care Like in Council Bluffs?
Hospice care in Iowa focuses on comfort rather than a cure. It brings medical help and emotional support directly to the place you call home. In Council Bluffs, the care team often includes nurses and aides who visit regularly. At St. Croix Hospice, the team includes 10 registered nurses. While they do not have physicians on their direct payroll, they work closely with the doctor of your choice. This setup allows for a personal touch while keeping medical experts involved. The goal is to keep the patient pain-free and comfortable in their own surroundings. And they offer support to the family as well. This care model is common across the state. It relies on a team approach to manage symptoms and provide guidance during a difficult time for everyone involved.
What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider
You have the right to pick the agency that fits your needs best. Start by asking how quickly a nurse can arrive if a sudden problem happens at night. You should also ask how the team will talk with your own family doctor. It helps to know who will be your main contact person during the week. Ask what kind of support they offer to family caregivers who might feel tired or overwhelmed. Do they have volunteers who can sit with your loved one for a few hours? Will they help with equipment like hospital beds or oxygen tanks? Finding these answers early can make the transition to hospice much smoother for your entire family. Write these questions down before you call so you do not forget anything.
Preserve Your Family Stories
Your family history is a gift. Capture the memories and voices of your loved ones to keep their stories alive for future generations.
Start Preserving MemoriesOther Hospice Providers Nearby
Helpful Guides for Families
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