SPARROW HOSPICE SERVICES
Provider Information
- Address
- 1210 WEST SAGINAW STREET
LANSING, MI 48915 - Ownership Type
- Non-Profit
- Medicare Certified Since
- January 23, 1987
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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) | 5 |
| Physicians | 1 |
11
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 SPARROW HOSPICE SERVICES reported, not a check of what it offers today. Confirm current arrangements with the hospice.
- Short-term inpatient care
- Provided directly by this hospice
- Type of inpatient care
- Both general inpatient care and respite care
- Medical supplies and equipment
- Supplied directly by this hospice
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.
Reported by this hospice to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services when it was certified in 2005.
Care Details from Medicare Data
Medicare computes these numbers from claims and required reporting. They show how SPARROW HOSPICE SERVICES compares to hospices nationwide.
32.2 minutes
of nurse care per routine home care day, on average
That is the 99th percentile among hospices nationally. The national median is about 12 minutes.
92
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 day32.2 min
Ranks better than about 99% 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 weekends21.8%
Ranks better than about 96% 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 life70.3%
Ranks better than about 8% 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 visits55.9%
Ranks better than about 46% 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 care4.2%
Ranks better than about 66% 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 months35.8%
Ranks better than about 53% 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 care3.2%
Ranks better than about 71% 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)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$10,275 · 11th 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 49.2% of patients or more. Most hospices score above 90 percent.
- Pain screening99.5%
- Pain assessment72.9%
- Breathing difficulty screening100%
- Breathing difficulty treatment99.4%
- Treatment preferences discussed100%
- Beliefs and values discussed100%
- Bowel care for patients on opioids100%
- Visits in the last days of life49.2%
- All care steps completed86.4%
Conditions of patients in their care
Share of patients by primary diagnosis. Useful if you want a team with experience in a specific condition.
- Cancer34%
- Dementia8%
- Heart and circulatory disease12%
- Lung and respiratory disease10%
- Stroke14%
- Other conditions23%
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, reporting period January 2023 through December 2024. Percentiles are computed by CMS across all reporting hospices.
About Sparrow Hospice Services
Sparrow Hospice Services operates out of Lansing, Michigan, on West Saginaw Street. This provider functions as a hospital-based program offering end-of-life support to patients in Ingham County. They have provided care under Medicare since 1987. The organization maintains accreditation through the Joint Commission. This group evaluates health care programs to ensure they meet high standards for safety and performance. Getting accredited shows a commitment to following strict national rules for patient care. It is a sign that the organization values outside review of its work. Families can feel more secure knowing that independent experts have checked their systems. The team serves the local area with a focus on medical support and comfort for those who need it most.
About the Organization
Sparrow Hospice Services is a non-profit entity. This means they put money back into their programs instead of paying owners or shareholders. They have a total staff of 11 people. This team includes five registered nurses and one physician. That is a tight group of professionals dedicated to patient needs. Having a doctor on the team helps manage complex medical symptoms. Nurses provide the daily care that keeps patients comfortable at home or in a facility. Being a hospital-based hospice often means they have quick access to larger medical resources if a change in health occurs. They have served the community for many years. That experience helps them understand how to handle local health systems effectively. Families should feel comfortable asking about how this team coordinates care with other doctors.
Quality Performance
What Is Hospice Care Like in LANSING?
Hospice care in Lansing focuses on comfort rather than curing an illness. The goal is to improve quality of life for the patient and their loved ones. Nurses and doctors visit the home to manage pain and other symptoms. They also provide emotional support for the family during this time. Most hospice care happens where the patient lives. That could be a private house or an assisted living facility. The staff helps the family understand what to expect as the illness progresses. They bring medical supplies and equipment directly to the patient. This helps keep the person in a familiar place they enjoy. The team is always on call for questions or emergencies. So, help is available at any time of day or night. It is a partnership between the hospice staff and the family members.
What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider
Families have a right to ask questions before picking a hospice provider. You want to feel sure about who will care for your loved one. Here are a few things to consider. First, ask how quickly a nurse can get to the home if a problem arises. You also want to know how the team manages pain and other difficult symptoms. Ask how they support family members who are grieving or stressed. It helps to know which staff members will visit the home most often. Does the provider offer support for 24 hours a day? Do they have experience with your loved one's specific diagnosis? Finally, ask how they communicate with the patient's primary doctor. Good communication is the key to getting the best care possible. Take your time to get the answers you need.
Preserve Family Stories
Your loved one has a lifetime of stories that deserve to be kept for future generations. Start recording these memories today to create a lasting gift for your family.
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