ST CROIX HOSPICE
Provider Information
- Address
- 802 LAKE ST, STE 3
SPIRIT LAKE, IA 51360 - Ownership Type
- For-Profit
- Medicare Certified Since
- March 12, 2015
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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) | 7 |
| Physicians | 0 |
| Volunteers | 0 |
18
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 ST CROIX 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 ST CROIX HOSPICE compares to hospices nationwide.
15 minutes
of nurse care per routine home care day, on average
That is the 76th percentile among hospices nationally. The national median is about 12 minutes.
160
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 day15 min
Ranks better than about 76% 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 weekends8.9%
Ranks better than about 61% 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 life96.8%
Ranks better than about 77% 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 visits35%
Ranks better than about 73% 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 care5.5%
Ranks better than about 57% 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 months45.5%
Ranks better than about 26% 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 hospice2.1%
Ranks better than about 36% 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$11,234 · 15th 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 72.8% of patients or more. Most hospices score above 90 percent.
- Pain screening100%
- Pain assessment100%
- Breathing difficulty screening100%
- Breathing difficulty treatment100%
- Treatment preferences discussed100%
- Beliefs and values discussed100%
- Bowel care for patients on opioids100%
- Visits in the last days of life72.8%
- All care steps completed100%
Conditions of patients in their care
Share of patients by primary diagnosis. Useful if you want a team with experience in a specific condition.
- Cancer16%
- Dementia27%
- Heart and circulatory disease26%
- Lung and respiratory disease8%
- Stroke7%
- Other conditions18%
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, reporting period January 2023 through December 2024. Percentiles are computed by CMS across all reporting hospices.
St. Croix Hospice in Spirit Lake
St. Croix Hospice serves families in Spirit Lake, Iowa. They are a freestanding provider that has been certified by Medicare since 2015. This team focuses on end-of-life care for people in Clay County. They hold accreditation from the Accreditation Commission for Health Care. This group reviews hospice agencies to ensure they meet high standards for safety and service. Choosing an accredited provider shows that an agency holds itself to strict rules. St. Croix Hospice operates as a for-profit organization. They bring care directly to where patients live. Families often look for this kind of local support when a loved one needs extra help. It is a big step to take. This team has 18 total employees ready to assist. That includes seven registered nurses on their staff. They work to keep patients comfortable and supported during a difficult time.
About St. Croix Hospice
St. Croix Hospice operates as a for-profit provider. They have maintained Medicare certification for nearly a decade. Their team includes seven registered nurses who manage medical needs for their patients. The organization holds accreditation from the Accreditation Commission for Health Care. This third-party group checks that the agency follows national standards for hospice care. It means an outside group verified their practices. Why does this matter? It gives families proof that the agency follows set protocols for quality and safety. St. Croix Hospice does not list physicians or volunteers on their current staff report. This is common for some agencies that focus on specific nursing models. Families should look at the total team size when they meet with a provider. You want to know who will visit your home. Ask about how they handle after-hours calls. Clear answers help you feel ready to start this service.
Quality Ratings
What Is Hospice Care Like in Spirit Lake?
Hospice care in Spirit Lake focuses on keeping patients comfortable in their own homes. The team works to manage pain and symptoms for those with serious illness. At St. Croix Hospice, the staff includes seven registered nurses. These nurses visit patients to check on their health and provide comfort. They coordinate with your own doctor to manage medications and supplies. That is the main goal of their work. While they do not have volunteers or doctors on their own payroll, the nursing staff leads the care plan. They spend their time focused on your needs. This care helps patients stay in familiar surroundings near family and friends. It allows for a sense of peace during a sensitive part of life. Local hospice care provides a bridge for families who need medical expertise and emotional support. They simplify the process of getting the right care at the right time.
What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider
Finding the right hospice team takes time. Start by asking how the staff handles pain management. You should know how quickly a nurse can arrive if a crisis happens at night. Ask about the specific duties of the nurses on the team. It is also wise to ask how they communicate with the family doctor. Will they keep the family updated on every change? Ask how they handle spiritual or emotional needs if your family wants that help. Does the agency provide training for family caregivers? You need to feel comfortable with the people entering your home. Do not be afraid to ask for a meeting with the team. A good provider will answer every question with patience. This helps you understand what to expect during the coming months. Clarity brings peace to your family.
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