AVERA @ HOME OF SPENCER HOSPITAL
Provider Information
- Address
- 101 E 10TH ST
SPENCER, IA 51301 - Ownership Type
- Government
- Medicare Certified Since
- November 16, 1993
Are you this hospice's administrator? Update your information
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) | 4 |
| Physicians | 0 |
| Volunteers | 0 |
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 AVERA @ HOME OF SPENCER HOSPITAL 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 AVERA @ HOME OF SPENCER HOSPITAL compares to hospices nationwide.
17.7 minutes
of nurse care per routine home care day, on average
That is the 90th percentile among hospices nationally. The national median is about 12 minutes.
7
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 day17.7 min
Ranks better than about 90% 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 weekends6.3%
Ranks better than about 30% 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 life95.9%
Ranks better than about 69% 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 visits22%
Ranks better than about 87% 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 months20%
Ranks better than about 87% 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%
Ranks better than about 35% 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)92nd 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$7,818 · 5th 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 8 required care steps for new patients here, completed for 83.8% of patients or more. Most hospices score above 90 percent.
- Pain screening99%
- Pain assessment100%
- Breathing difficulty screening99%
- Breathing difficulty treatment100%
- Treatment preferences discussed100%
- Beliefs and values discussed100%
- Visits in the last days of life83.8%
- All care steps completed98%
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%
- Dementia15%
- Heart and circulatory disease23%
- Other conditions21%
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, reporting period January 2023 through December 2024. Percentiles are computed by CMS across all reporting hospices.
Overview of Avera @ Home of Spencer Hospital
Avera @ Home of Spencer Hospital serves the community of Spencer, Iowa. This hospice provider operates as a hospital-based program in Clay County. They have been certified by Medicare since late 1993 to provide end-of-life care for local families. The team focuses on comfort and support during a difficult time. Choosing a local provider often helps families stay connected to their own community support systems. This provider offers a long history of service to the people of Iowa. They are a government-owned facility that works within the Spencer Hospital system. Their team includes four registered nurses who manage care needs for their patients. This setup ensures that medical expertise is always nearby when families need it most. Having a local hospital partner can offer peace of mind to many people. It is a stable option for those in the region.
About Avera @ Home of Spencer Hospital
This program is owned by the government as part of a hospital system. They have maintained Medicare certification for over thirty years. That is a long time to serve a community. Being part of a hospital means they follow strict rules for safety and care quality. Families should know that government oversight keeps standards high for every patient. This provider has seven employees who work together to manage daily care. They do not use volunteers in their current staffing model. Instead, the care comes from a dedicated group of professionals. These staff members focus on keeping patients comfortable in their own homes. You can expect consistent care because of their long history in the field. They stick to the rules set by the federal government. This helps keep the care safe and reliable for everyone involved. It is a standard way to deliver medical support in Iowa.
Quality of Care
What Is Hospice Care Like in Spencer?
Hospice care in Spencer focuses on keeping patients at home whenever possible. The goal is to manage pain and improve the quality of each day. This provider uses a team of four registered nurses to handle clinical needs. They do not employ physicians or volunteers directly on their hospice staff. This means the nurses lead the care plan for each person. They work closely with local doctors to keep everything running smoothly. Families often find that having a small, local team makes communication much easier. You will know exactly who is coming to your home to help. The nurses focus on medical support and comfort for the patient. They also teach family members how to assist with daily care tasks. It is a practical way to manage health needs near your own front door. Most people prefer this familiar setting for their final months of life.
What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider
Choosing a provider is a big step for any family. You should ask how the team handles pain management during the night or on weekends. Ask who will be the main nurse for your loved one. It helps to know how they talk to your regular doctor about changes in health. You might also ask how they support family members who are feeling tired or stressed. Ask if they provide equipment like hospital beds or oxygen to the home. Find out how long it takes for a nurse to arrive during an emergency. Make sure you understand their plan for after-hours calls. These questions help you feel ready to make a choice. Good providers will be happy to give you clear answers. They want you to feel comfortable with the plan they offer. Take your time to get the facts you need for your situation.
Keep Your Family Stories Alive
Your loved one has a lifetime of memories. We offer tools to help you record and save those stories for future generations to cherish.
Start Preserving MemoriesOther Hospice Providers Nearby
CEDAR VALLEY HOSPICE
HOSPICE OF THE HEARTLAND
UNITYPOINT HOSPICE
BURGESS HOSPICE
LAKES REGIONAL HEALTHCARE HOSPICE
GUNDERSEN PALMER LUTHERAN HOSP AND CLINICS-HOSPICE
Helpful Guides for Families
Starting the End-of-Life Conversation: A Family Guide
Starting the end-of-life conversation is hard. Our guide provides scripts, expert tips, and Medicare insights to help you navigate this talk with confidence.
10 Essential Hospice Questions for Evaluating Providers
Evaluating hospice care for a loved one? Use these 10 essential hospice questions to interview providers and ensure your family receives the best possible support.
Understanding Medicare Hospice Benefits: A Family Guide
Navigating end-of-life care is complex. Our guide to Understanding Medicare Hospice Benefits helps you manage costs, coverage, and care with confidence today.
Some stories are worth writing down
Between the calls and the paperwork, many families wish they had asked more about the person at the center of it all. A recorded conversation, a favorite recipe, the story behind an old photo. Small things now can mean a great deal later. Our legacy guides show simple ways to start.