LAKES REGIONAL HEALTHCARE HOSPICE
Provider Information
- Address
- 2301 HWY 71 SOUTH
SPIRIT LAKE, IA 51360 - Ownership Type
- Government
- Medicare Certified Since
- December 2, 1999
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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) | 3 |
| Volunteers | 0 |
6
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 LAKES REGIONAL HEALTHCARE 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 2022.
Care Details from Medicare Data
Medicare computes these numbers from claims and required reporting. They show how LAKES REGIONAL HEALTHCARE HOSPICE compares to hospices nationwide.
12.7 minutes
of nurse care per routine home care day, on average
That is the 55th percentile among hospices nationally. The national median is about 12 minutes.
12
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 day12.7 min
Ranks better than about 55% 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 weekends7.4%
Ranks better than about 44% 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 life98.3%
Ranks better than about 88% 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 visits19.2%
Ranks better than about 89% 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 care11.1%
Ranks better than about 20% 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 months22.2%
Ranks better than about 84% 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)79th 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$8,928 · 7th 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 62.1% of patients or more. Most hospices score above 90 percent.
- Pain screening98.4%
- Pain assessment100%
- Breathing difficulty screening100%
- Breathing difficulty treatment100%
- Treatment preferences discussed100%
- Beliefs and values discussed100%
- Visits in the last days of life62.1%
- All care steps completed98.4%
Conditions of patients in their care
Share of patients by primary diagnosis. Useful if you want a team with experience in a specific condition.
- Cancer41%
- Heart and circulatory disease17%
- Other conditions22%
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, reporting period January 2023 through December 2024. Percentiles are computed by CMS across all reporting hospices.
Supportive Care in Spirit Lake
LAKES REGIONAL HEALTHCARE HOSPICE provides essential end-of-life care to families in Spirit Lake, Iowa. They serve the Dickinson County area by focusing on comfort and dignity for patients. Their team helps manage symptoms so your loved one can spend their time in a peaceful way. It is a local resource built to support you when you need it most. Choosing a hospice is a big decision, and having a team nearby makes a difference. The staff focuses on the physical and emotional needs of the whole family, not just the patient. That's the heart of hospice work. By staying close to home, they ensure that care is always within reach for those in the community. You are not alone in this journey.
About LAKES REGIONAL HEALTHCARE HOSPICE
This provider operates as a government-run hospice agency. They have been Medicare certified since December 2, 1999. That is over two decades of serving the community. When a hospice is government-owned, it often means they are tied directly to the local hospital system. That can be a big comfort for families who already know the staff. You should know that Medicare covers almost all costs for hospice care. This includes medicine, medical equipment, and visits from nurses or aides. The thing is, you have the right to choose any provider you trust. You do not have to pick the one closest to you, but it is often easier for everyone involved. Take your time to learn about their specific approach to care. They are there to walk this path with you.
Top Tier Quality Ratings
Understanding Hospice Care in SPIRIT LAKE
Hospice is about living well for as long as possible. It is not about giving up hope or stopping all care. Instead, it shifts the focus to managing pain and keeping your loved one comfortable at home. In Spirit Lake, families often find that hospice care changes how they spend their final months together. It brings in a team of experts, including nurses, social workers, and chaplains. They visit your home to check on the patient and support the caregivers. The goal is to reduce stress so you can focus on making memories. What most people do not realize is that you can start hospice care sooner than you think. You do not have to wait until the very last days. Starting early allows the team to build a real bond with your family.
What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider
Picking the right hospice team is a personal choice. You should feel comfortable asking tough questions before you sign anything. Start by asking how quickly they can get a nurse to your home in an emergency. It is also smart to ask about their after-hours support. Do they have someone on call 24/7, or will you get an answering service? Another good question is how they handle pain management if symptoms get worse at night. And, ask about the volunteers they have available. Sometimes a volunteer can sit with your loved one to give the family a much-needed break. These small things make a massive difference in your daily life. Do not be afraid to ask for clarity on anything that feels confusing. You deserve clear answers during this time.
Preserve Your Family's History
Your loved one has a lifetime of stories that deserve to be kept safe for future generations. We can help you capture these precious memories in a simple way.
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Helpful Guides for Families
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A Complete End of Life Planning Checklist for Families
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Starting the End-of-Life Conversation: A Family Guide
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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.