ST CROIX HOSPICE
Provider Information
- Address
- 2580 BRIDGE AVENUE
ALBERT LEA, MN 56007 - Ownership Type
- For-Profit
- Medicare Certified Since
- June 21, 2022
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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) | 4 |
| Physicians | 1 |
| Volunteers | 0 |
10
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 2022.
Care Details from Medicare Data
Medicare computes these numbers from claims and required reporting. They show how ST CROIX HOSPICE compares to hospices nationwide.
17.2 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.
202
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 day17.2 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 weekends10.3%
Ranks better than about 71% 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 life96.5%
Ranks better than about 75% 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 visits21.8%
Ranks better than about 87% 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 care9.8%
Ranks better than about 27% 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 months13%
Ranks better than about 94% 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 care10.9%
Ranks better than about 31% 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 hospice3.3%
Ranks better than about 22% 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$12,992 · 23rd 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 78.2% of patients or more. Most hospices score above 90 percent.
- Pain screening100%
- Pain assessment100%
- Breathing difficulty screening100%
- Breathing difficulty treatment99.6%
- Treatment preferences discussed100%
- Beliefs and values discussed100%
- Bowel care for patients on opioids100%
- Visits in the last days of life78.2%
- All care steps completed99.8%
Conditions of patients in their care
Share of patients by primary diagnosis. Useful if you want a team with experience in a specific condition.
- Cancer18%
- Dementia18%
- Heart and circulatory disease36%
- Lung and respiratory disease5%
- Stroke8%
- Other conditions16%
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 Albert Lea
St. Croix Hospice provides end of life care for residents in Albert Lea, Minnesota. This freestanding provider has been Medicare certified since 2022. They hold accreditation from the Accreditation Commission for Health Care. This group helps patients and families manage symptoms during a serious illness. They offer care directly in the local community. Many families choose them for their high standards of service. You can reach their team at 2580 Bridge Avenue to learn more about their specific care plans. Their office serves families across Freeborn County.
About St. Croix Hospice
This provider operates as a for-profit organization. They have maintained Medicare certification for several years. The Accreditation Commission for Health Care evaluates them against strict standards. This group reviews how hospice agencies handle patient safety and medical records. They check that the staff follows national rules for hospice care. This gives families extra peace of mind. It shows the agency wants to meet high benchmarks for service. Their team includes ten employees who work together to support patients. This includes four registered nurses and one physician. Having a medical director is a standard requirement for hospice agencies. Families should know that accreditation is a voluntary step. It demonstrates a clear commitment to quality care. This agency works hard to meet these national goals every day.
Quality of Care
What Is Hospice Care Like in Albert Lea?
Hospice care in this area focuses on comfort for the patient and support for the family. The team visits you wherever you call home. They manage pain and other difficult symptoms. This allows patients to focus on time with their loved ones. The staff at this agency is made up of ten people. This includes four registered nurses who handle daily medical needs. One physician oversees the medical care plan for each patient. They do not currently use volunteers. The goal is to provide care that respects the wishes of the family. You can expect regular visits from the clinical team to check on status changes. They adjust care plans to meet changing needs. It is a team effort to keep the patient comfortable. This local service keeps care close to home.
What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider
Choosing a hospice provider is a big decision for any family. You should feel comfortable with the people who will enter your home. Start by asking how quickly a nurse can reach your house if an emergency happens. Ask how the team handles pain management after normal business hours. You should also ask about the role of the physician in your care plan. Find out how often the nurse will visit to assess your loved one. Ask if they provide help for family caregivers who may feel tired. It is helpful to know how they handle medications and medical equipment. You might also ask if they have specific experience with the diagnosis of your loved one. Write down your questions before you call. This helps you get clear answers during a stressful time.
Preserve Your Family Stories
Your loved one has a lifetime of memories. We offer tools to help you record and save those precious family stories for the next generation.
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