MYRTUE MEDICAL CENTER HOSPICE
Provider Information
- Address
- 2712 12TH STREET
HARLAN, IA 51537 - Ownership Type
- Government
- Medicare Certified Since
- December 24, 1996
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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) | 3 |
| Physicians | 0 |
| Volunteers | 1 |
7
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 MYRTUE MEDICAL CENTER 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 2020.
Care Details from Medicare Data
Medicare computes these numbers from claims and required reporting. They show how MYRTUE MEDICAL CENTER HOSPICE compares to hospices nationwide.
16.4 minutes
of nurse care per routine home care day, on average
That is the 84th percentile among hospices nationally. The national median is about 12 minutes.
19
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 day16.4 min
Ranks better than about 84% 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 weekends6%
Ranks better than about 26% 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 life95.3%
Ranks better than about 64% 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 visits32.5%
Ranks better than about 76% 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 care0%
Ranks better than about 81% 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 months50%
Ranks better than about 17% 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 care0%
Ranks better than about 81% 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)83rd 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$12,140 · 19th 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 72.5% of patients or more. Most hospices score above 90 percent.
- Pain screening92.4%
- Pain assessment72.5%
- Breathing difficulty screening98.9%
- Breathing difficulty treatment97.7%
- Treatment preferences discussed100%
- Beliefs and values discussed96.7%
- Bowel care for patients on opioids94.4%
- Visits in the last days of life72.5%
- All care steps completed75%
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%
- Dementia30%
- Heart and circulatory disease18%
- Lung and respiratory disease11%
- Other conditions12%
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Percentiles are computed by CMS across all reporting hospices.
Myrtue Medical Center Hospice
Myrtue Medical Center Hospice serves residents in Harlan, Iowa, and the surrounding Shelby County area. This hospice program operates as part of the local hospital system. They provide end-of-life care focused on comfort and support for patients and their families. The provider has offered these services since late 1996. Their long history shows a commitment to meeting the needs of the local community. Hospice care offers a way to manage symptoms while keeping the patient in a familiar setting. Families can count on their team to help guide them through difficult medical decisions. This is care centered on the patient's goals and personal wishes.
About Myrtue Medical Center Hospice
This provider functions as a government-owned hospital department. Being government-owned often means the hospice follows strict public standards for care and reporting. They earned Medicare certification in December 1996. This status allows them to provide services to patients who rely on federal insurance benefits. Medicare certification requires meeting specific rules for staffing and patient safety. Why does this matter? It means the facility must pass regular checks to maintain its standing. Families should know that this oversight ensures the hospice meets basic requirements for medical care. The team includes seven employees who handle daily operations. This group consists of three registered nurses and one volunteer who support patient needs. These staff members work together to ensure that every patient receives focused attention throughout their care. You can ask about their specific staffing levels when you call to discuss your needs.
Quality of Care
What Is Hospice Care Like in Harlan?
Hospice care in Harlan provides a local option for families facing a terminal diagnosis. The team at Myrtue Medical Center Hospice focuses on pain control and emotional support. They work with three registered nurses to provide clinical oversight for their patients. These nurses visit the home to check on the patient and adjust care plans as needed. And one volunteer assists by providing companionship or helping with small tasks. This small team structure allows for a very personal approach to care. Most patients receive these services in their own homes. The goal is to keep the patient comfortable and surrounded by loved ones. They help manage symptoms so that the patient can spend time on what matters most. Being part of a hospital system allows for a quick link to other medical resources when needed. It is a local resource for a difficult time.
What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider
Finding the right fit for your family takes some time. You should prepare a list of questions before you meet with any provider. First, ask how quickly they can start services once a doctor makes a referral. You should also ask how the team manages pain and other difficult symptoms at night or on weekends. Ask how many nurses will be assigned to your specific case. It is also good to know how they support family members during the grieving process. Ask if they offer any spiritual support or counseling services. These questions help you understand how they will communicate with you. You want a provider who listens to your concerns. Take notes during your conversation so you can compare the answers later. Clarity helps reduce your stress during this process.
Keep Your Family Stories Alive
Your loved one has a life full of memories and wisdom. We offer tools to help you record and preserve their unique story for future generations to enjoy.
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