HospiceScout

EVERYSTEP

OtherACHC AccreditedFreestanding Hospice

Provider Information

Address
3000 EASTON BLVD
DES MOINES, IA 50317
Ownership Type
Other
Medicare Certified Since
November 2, 1983

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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 EVERYSTEP
RoleStaff Count
Registered Nurses (RN)37
Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN)4
Physicians1
Volunteers2

102

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 EVERYSTEP 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 EVERYSTEP compares to hospices nationwide.

13.6 minutes

of nurse care per routine home care day, on average

That is the 64th percentile among hospices nationally. The national median is about 12 minutes.

172

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 day13.6 min

    Ranks better than about 64% 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 weekends5.6%

    Ranks better than about 21% 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 life93%

    Ranks better than about 46% 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 visits49.3%

    Ranks better than about 55% 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%

    Ranks better than about 60% 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 months48.5%

    Ranks better than about 21% 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 care4.5%

    Ranks better than about 64% 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 hospice1.5%

    Ranks better than about 44% 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)93rd 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$12,615 · 21st 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 56.2% of patients or more. Most hospices score above 90 percent.
  • Pain screening100%
  • Pain assessment100%
  • Breathing difficulty screening100%
  • Breathing difficulty treatment99.5%
  • Treatment preferences discussed100%
  • Beliefs and values discussed100%
  • Bowel care for patients on opioids99.5%
  • Visits in the last days of life56.2%
  • 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.

  • Cancer39%
  • Dementia12%
  • Heart and circulatory disease16%
  • Lung and respiratory disease11%
  • Stroke7%
  • Other conditions17%

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

About EVERYSTEP

EVERYSTEP offers hospice services to people in Des Moines, Iowa. They hold accreditation from the Accreditation Commission for Health Care. This group checks providers to ensure they meet high standards for safety and care. They have served the community since 1983. Families often look for this kind of long history when picking a local partner for end of life care. Their team includes 37 registered nurses and 4 licensed practical nurses. They also employ one physician and have two volunteers on staff. This team works together to support your loved one in their own home or a care facility. It is a freestanding hospice provider. This means they focus only on hospice care for their patients.

Provider Details

EVERYSTEP operates as a freestanding hospice in Polk County. They have been certified by Medicare for over forty years. That shows they have a stable presence in the Des Moines area. The Accreditation Commission for Health Care reviews their work regularly. This review process confirms they follow national rules for patient safety and medical practices. Most families appreciate this level of oversight because it provides a clear picture of how the agency functions. They are a private organization. This means they are not part of a hospital system. They keep their focus entirely on the hospice needs of their patients. Their office is at 3000 Easton Blvd. You can reach them at 515-274-3400 to ask about their current services.

What Is Hospice Care Like in DES MOINES?

Hospice care in Des Moines focuses on comfort and quality of life. The team visits you at home to manage pain and other symptoms. You get a nurse who oversees your medical needs. They also work with social workers to help your family cope with the emotional side of care. The goal is to keep your loved one comfortable. You stay in charge of the daily schedule in most cases. This provider uses a team of 102 staff members to manage these duties. They provide care that follows federal rules for hospice agencies in Iowa. Having a local team means they know the area well. They can help connect you with local resources if you need extra support for your family during this time.

What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider

Choosing a hospice provider takes time. You should ask questions that help you understand how they work. First, ask how quickly a nurse can get to your home if a crisis happens at night. You need to know if they have staff available 24 hours a day. Second, ask how they handle pain management and who will be your main contact person. It helps to have one person you can call for answers. Third, ask how they involve your family in the care plan. You want a team that listens to your wishes and follows them. Finally, ask if they have volunteers who can sit with your loved one to give you a break. These simple questions help you find the right fit for your family.

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