HOSPICE OF DICKINSON COUNTY
Provider Information
- Address
- 1111 NORTH BRADY
ABILENE, KS 67410 - Ownership Type
- Other
- Medicare Certified Since
- March 9, 1994
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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) | 9 |
| Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN) | 3 |
| Physicians | 1 |
32
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 DICKINSON COUNTY 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
- Both supplied directly and through outside suppliers
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 2018.
Care Details from Medicare Data
Medicare computes these numbers from claims and required reporting. They show how HOSPICE OF DICKINSON COUNTY compares to hospices nationwide.
17.1 minutes
of nurse care per routine home care day, on average
That is the 88th percentile among hospices nationally. The national median is about 12 minutes.
13
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 day17.1 min
Ranks better than about 88% 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 weekends6.8%
Ranks better than about 36% 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 life94.2%
Ranks better than about 55% 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 visits47.4%
Ranks better than about 57% 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 months28.6%
Ranks better than about 72% 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)81st 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$7,521 · 4th 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 39.1% of patients or more. Most hospices score above 90 percent.
- Pain screening100%
- Pain assessment100%
- Breathing difficulty screening99.1%
- Breathing difficulty treatment87.7%
- Treatment preferences discussed100%
- Beliefs and values discussed100%
- Bowel care for patients on opioids95.8%
- Visits in the last days of life39.1%
- All care steps completed91.1%
Conditions of patients in their care
Share of patients by primary diagnosis. Useful if you want a team with experience in a specific condition.
- Cancer14%
- Dementia27%
- Heart and circulatory disease18%
- Lung and respiratory disease15%
- Other conditions21%
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, reporting period January 2023 through December 2024. Percentiles are computed by CMS across all reporting hospices.
Support for Your Loved Ones
Hospice of Dickinson County provides end-of-life care for families in Abilene, Kansas. They focus on comfort and quality of life when time matters most. Located at 1111 North Brady, this team serves the local community with dedicated care teams. Their goal is to help patients stay at home where they feel most at peace. That is a huge comfort for families during a hard time. The team works hard to manage pain and provide emotional support for everyone involved. You deserve to know that your loved ones are in capable, caring hands every single day.
About HOSPICE OF DICKINSON COUNTY
This provider has been Medicare certified since March 9, 1994. That is over 30 years of experience serving the Dickinson County area. They operate under an 'Other' ownership structure. What does that mean for you? It means they are locally focused and not part of a giant national chain. That matters because local teams often know the community resources better than anyone else. They have a long history of meeting federal standards for hospice care. When you choose a provider with this much history, you get a team that knows how to handle complex medical needs. They keep things simple and honest. You should feel good about looking into a group that has stayed committed to Abilene for three decades.
Top Quality Care
Understanding Hospice Care in ABILENE
Hospice is not about giving up. It is about choosing to live your final months with as little pain as possible. In Abilene, families have access to specialized care that comes to their front door. The thing is, most people wait too long to call for help. Hospice teams bring nurses, aides, and chaplains directly to your home. They also help with equipment like hospital beds and oxygen. That makes life much easier for the primary caregiver. You do not have to do this alone. The local hospice staff understands the unique needs of people living in rural Kansas. They know the local doctors and the local pharmacies. That local connection makes a big difference when you need supplies or answers in the middle of the night.
What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider
Choosing the right team is a big decision for any family. You should feel empowered to ask tough questions before you sign any papers. Here are a few things to keep in mind. First, ask how quickly a nurse can get to your home if an emergency happens at 2 a.m. Second, ask how they help the family cope with the emotional side of loss. You also want to know how often a nurse will visit your home each week. Some providers visit more often than others. Finally, ask if they have experience with your loved one's specific health condition. It is okay to be picky. You are looking for a partner who will treat your family with the same respect they would want for their own parents.
Keep Your Family Stories Alive
Your loved one's life is full of wisdom and memories. We can help you record these stories so they last for generations to come.
Preserve MemoriesOther Hospice Providers Nearby
AHC HOME HEALTH OF KANSAS, LLC (HOSPICE)
HOSPICE THE UNIVERSITY OF KANSAS HEALTH SYSTEM
FAITH HOSPICE CARE
HOSPICE & PALLIATIVE CARE AT HAYSMED
GENTIVA
HCA MIDWEST HOSPICE & FAMILY CARE
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