HospiceScout

HOSPICE OF NATCHITOCHES, INC

For-ProfitFreestanding Hospice

Provider Information

Address
336 2ND STREET
NATCHITOCHES, LA 71457
Ownership Type
For-Profit
Medicare Certified Since
January 9, 2001

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CMS Quality Ratings

Overall Rating

Composite score combining quality measures and patient survey results.

Quality of Care

Based on the CMS Hospice Care Index — 10 operational quality indicators including visits near death, nursing minutes, and care transitions.

Patient Satisfaction

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

Staffing breakdown for HOSPICE OF NATCHITOCHES, INC
RoleStaff Count
Registered Nurses (RN)7
Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN)2
Physicians3
Volunteers3

17

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 NATCHITOCHES, INC reported, not a check of what it offers today. Confirm current arrangements with the hospice.

An older Medicare record for this hospice lists short-term inpatient care as “not provided.” That code may be out of date. Medicare requires certified hospices to make inpatient care available for symptom management and caregiver respite. Ask this hospice how it arranges a bed if symptoms become hard to manage at home.

Medical supplies and equipment
Brought in through an outside supplier

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 2021.

Care Details from Medicare Data

Medicare computes these numbers from claims and required reporting. They show how HOSPICE OF NATCHITOCHES, INC compares to hospices nationwide.

9.3 minutes

of nurse care per routine home care day, on average

That is the 18th percentile among hospices nationally. The national median is about 12 minutes.

40

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 day9.3 min

    Ranks better than about 18% 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 weekends8.3%

    Ranks better than about 54% 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 life95.8%

    Ranks better than about 68% 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 visits33.7%

    Ranks better than about 75% 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 care4.4%

    Ranks better than about 64% 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 months37.8%

    Ranks better than about 47% 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 care4.4%

    Ranks better than about 65% 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 hospice6.7%

    Ranks better than about 5% 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)74th 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$12,437 · 20th 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 73.5% of patients or more. Most hospices score above 90 percent.
  • Pain screening97.6%
  • Pain assessment100%
  • Breathing difficulty screening98.8%
  • Breathing difficulty treatment100%
  • Treatment preferences discussed99.4%
  • Beliefs and values discussed99.4%
  • Visits in the last days of life73.5%
  • All care steps completed89.9%

Conditions of patients in their care

Share of patients by primary diagnosis. Useful if you want a team with experience in a specific condition.

  • Cancer22%
  • Dementia24%
  • Heart and circulatory disease19%
  • Lung and respiratory disease9%
  • Stroke10%
  • Other conditions16%

Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Percentiles are computed by CMS across all reporting hospices.

Hospice of Natchitoches, Inc

Hospice of Natchitoches, Inc offers end of life support to people in Natchitoches, Louisiana. This provider has served the area since early 2001. They focus on comfort and symptom management for patients who have a life limiting illness. Their team helps local families manage medical needs at home or in other settings. They are a for-profit hospice provider serving the Natchitoches County community.

About HOSPICE OF NATCHITOCHES, INC

This hospice operates as a for-profit organization in Louisiana. They first earned Medicare certification in January 2001. This certification means they follow federal rules for patient care and safety. Families should know that Medicare reviews these providers to ensure they meet high standards. The agency maintains a local office on 2nd Street. Choosing a provider with a long history of certification shows they have experience with these rules. This experience often leads to more stable care for your loved one. You can check their official ratings to see how they perform on specific quality measures. These scores reflect how well they manage pain and how satisfied other families felt with the service. It is a good way to see if their care style matches your needs.

High Quality Standards

This provider holds top marks for patient satisfaction and strong quality-of-care results. Their performance across federal quality measures shows a consistent commitment to meeting the needs of their patients.

What Is Hospice Care Like in NATCHITOCHES?

Hospice care in this area focuses on keeping patients comfortable in their own homes. The team at Hospice of Natchitoches, Inc includes seven registered nurses and two licensed practical nurses. They also employ three physicians to oversee medical care. These professionals work together to address pain and emotional concerns. You will also find three volunteers who offer extra support to families. This mix of staff ensures that medical and personal needs remain the priority. The team visits you where you live to provide direct care. They adjust their schedule to fit what your family needs during this time. Having a team with many nurses on staff means they can respond to changes in a patient's health quickly. That is helpful for everyone involved.

What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider

Picking the right team is a big step for your family. Start by asking how quickly a nurse can get to your home after you call. Ask who will be the main person you talk to when you have questions. You should also find out how they handle pain medicine after regular office hours. Ask if they have experience with the specific illness your loved one has. It is also smart to ask how often their team members will visit your home. You want to know if these visits happen on a set schedule. Getting clear answers helps you feel more prepared for the care ahead. Keep these questions written down so you do not forget them during your first meeting.

Preserve Your Family Stories

Your loved one has a unique history worth saving. Learn how to capture their voice and memories to share with future generations.

Start Preserving

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Helpful Guides for Families

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.