HOSPICE OF DUBUQUE
Provider Information
- Address
- 1670 JOHN F KENNEDY ROAD
DUBUQUE, IA 52002 - Ownership Type
- Non-Profit
- Medicare Certified Since
- February 24, 1990
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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) | 31 |
| Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN) | 1 |
| Physicians | 0 |
62
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 HOSPICE OF DUBUQUE 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 HOSPICE OF DUBUQUE compares to hospices nationwide.
25.5 minutes
of nurse care per routine home care day, on average
That is the 98th percentile among hospices nationally. The national median is about 12 minutes.
117
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 day25.5 min
Ranks better than about 98% 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 weekends8.2%
Ranks better than about 53% 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 life98.9%
Ranks better than about 90% 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 visits15.6%
Ranks better than about 92% 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 months39.2%
Ranks better than about 43% 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 hospice1%
Ranks better than about 50% 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$9,567 · 9th 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 91.8% of patients or more. Most hospices score above 90 percent.
- Pain screening99.8%
- Pain assessment99.6%
- Breathing difficulty screening100%
- Breathing difficulty treatment100%
- Treatment preferences discussed96%
- Beliefs and values discussed95.9%
- Bowel care for patients on opioids99.8%
- Visits in the last days of life91.8%
- All care steps completed95.3%
Conditions of patients in their care
Share of patients by primary diagnosis. Useful if you want a team with experience in a specific condition.
- Cancer26%
- Dementia21%
- Heart and circulatory disease24%
- Lung and respiratory disease9%
- Stroke9%
- Other conditions13%
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, reporting period January 2023 through December 2024. Percentiles are computed by CMS across all reporting hospices.
Hospice of Dubuque Overview
Hospice of Dubuque provides compassionate end-of-life care for patients in Dubuque, Iowa. They focus on comfort, dignity, and quality of life for those facing a life-limiting illness. The team works closely with each person to manage pain and symptoms while supporting their emotional needs. That is a big deal when you are caring for a loved one. By providing care directly in the home or other settings, they help families stay together during difficult times. Their staff includes doctors, nurses, and volunteers who are all trained in hospice care. They focus on the person, not just the diagnosis. This approach helps families find peace of mind when they need it most. Choosing the right provider is a major decision for your family. Hospice of Dubuque has been serving the local community for many years with a steady commitment to care.
About Hospice of Dubuque
Hospice of Dubuque is a non-profit organization. This means they put their resources directly back into patient care and community services. They have been Medicare-certified since February 24, 1990. That is over three decades of experience in the field. Being certified means they meet strict federal standards for quality and safety. Families should know that non-profit status often means the team is very connected to local needs. They are not focused on making a profit for owners. Instead, they focus on the heart of the mission. You can feel confident knowing they have a long track record of meeting government rules. It is good to see that kind of history. They operate out of their office on John F. Kennedy Road. This location serves as the hub for their dedicated team of professionals who visit patients in the area every single day.
Exceptional Quality Ratings
Understanding Hospice Care in Dubuque
Hospice care in Iowa is designed to support the entire family, not just the patient. It is not about giving up hope. It is about choosing comfort when a cure is no longer the goal. The thing is, many people wait too long to start these services. Starting early allows the team to build a real relationship with your loved one. This makes the transition much smoother for everyone involved. In Dubuque, you have access to professional care that respects your values and wishes. The goal is to keep your loved one home whenever possible. The team handles the medical equipment and medicine deliveries so you do not have to worry about those tasks. You can focus on being a family member rather than a nurse. This support system is meant to lighten your load during a very heavy time. It truly makes a difference.
What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider
Choosing a hospice provider can feel overwhelming at first. But you have the power to ask the right questions. Start by asking how quickly a nurse can get to your home if an emergency happens. You should also ask how they handle pain and symptom control during the night or on weekends. It is smart to ask how they support the family after a loss, too. Many providers offer grief support groups or counseling for months after the patient passes. Another good question is how they involve the family in the care plan. You want a team that listens to your input and honors your family traditions. And finally, ask about the volunteer program. Volunteers can provide helpful companionship or give caregivers a much-needed break for a few hours. Getting these answers will help you feel more confident in your final choice.
Keep Your Family Stories Alive
Your loved one has a lifetime of memories and wisdom to share. Capturing these stories now creates a beautiful gift that your family will treasure for generations to come.
Start Preserving MemoriesOther Hospice Providers Nearby
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