ESSENTIA HEALTH ST MARYS HOSPICE & PALLIATIVE CARE
Provider Information
- Address
- 407 EAST 4TH STREET
DULUTH, MN 55805 - Ownership Type
- Non-Profit
- Medicare Certified Since
- March 21, 1991
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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) | 55 |
| Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN) | 4 |
| Physicians | 2 |
110
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 ESSENTIA HEALTH ST MARYS HOSPICE & PALLIATIVE CARE 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 2018.
Care Details from Medicare Data
Medicare computes these numbers from claims and required reporting. They show how ESSENTIA HEALTH ST MARYS HOSPICE & PALLIATIVE CARE compares to hospices nationwide.
262
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.
- Skilled nursing on weekends2.7%
Ranks better than about 3% 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 life91.6%
Ranks better than about 38% 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 visits64.1%
Ranks better than about 34% 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 care3.9%
Ranks better than about 68% 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 months39%
Ranks better than about 44% 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 care5%
Ranks better than about 61% 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 hospice1.1%
Ranks better than about 49% 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)83rd 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$16,577 · 42nd 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 68% of patients or more. Most hospices score above 90 percent.
- Pain screening99.3%
- Pain assessment99%
- Breathing difficulty screening99.4%
- Breathing difficulty treatment99.3%
- Treatment preferences discussed100%
- Beliefs and values discussed99.8%
- Bowel care for patients on opioids100%
- Visits in the last days of life68%
- All care steps completed97.7%
Conditions of patients in their care
Share of patients by primary diagnosis. Useful if you want a team with experience in a specific condition.
- Cancer30%
- Dementia20%
- Heart and circulatory disease16%
- Lung and respiratory disease7%
- Stroke9%
- Other conditions20%
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, reporting period January 2023 through December 2024. Percentiles are computed by CMS across all reporting hospices.
Compassionate Care in Duluth
Essentia Health St. Marys Hospice & Palliative Care serves families in Duluth, Minnesota. They provide expert hospice and palliative services to those facing serious illness. Their team focuses on comfort and dignity for every patient. They work hard to support your loved ones during difficult times. By choosing this provider, you get access to a team dedicated to high-quality care in the St. Louis County area. Their goal is to improve the quality of life for patients and their families. You can rely on their long history of service in the local community. They aim to provide peace of mind through skilled medical and emotional support. Whether you need symptom management or emotional guidance, this team is ready to help your family. They remain committed to excellence in every step of the hospice journey.
About Essentia Health St. Marys Hospice & Palliative Care
This provider is a non-profit organization located at 407 East 4th Street in Duluth. They have been Medicare certified since March 21, 1991. This long history shows their deep roots in the community. As a non-profit, their focus remains on patient care rather than profits. Families should know that they have met federal standards for hospice care for many years. Medicare certification means they follow strict rules to keep patients safe. They provide care that covers both physical needs and emotional support. Being a long-term provider in Duluth, they understand the local healthcare landscape well. Families can feel confident in their experience and their dedication to the mission of hospice. You are choosing a group that has served the region for decades. They offer a stable and caring environment for your loved ones when it matters most.
High Quality Ratings
Understanding Hospice Care in Duluth
Hospice care is a special way to support people with a serious illness. It focuses on comfort instead of a cure. In Duluth, many families turn to hospice to help manage pain and stress. The goal is to let your loved one live as fully as possible. This care happens wherever the patient calls home. It may be at a private house or a care facility. A team of nurses, social workers, and volunteers works together to help. They provide medical help, spiritual support, and emotional care for the whole family. Hospice is not just about the patient. It is about supporting the people who love them the most. Having local care means your support team is nearby. They understand the resources available in the St. Louis County area. You are never alone when you choose the right hospice team for your needs.
What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider
Choosing a hospice team is an important decision for your family. You should feel comfortable with the people who will provide care. Here are some questions to ask during your first meeting:
- How quickly can your team respond if we need help at night or on weekends?
- What specific services do you offer to support family caregivers at home?
- How does your team manage pain and other difficult symptoms for the patient?
- Can you explain how your volunteers help during the hospice process?
Asking these questions helps you understand how they work. It lets you see if their values match your own family needs. Do not be afraid to ask for more details. A good provider will be happy to explain their process clearly. They want you to feel informed and supported. Take your time to get the answers you need for peace of mind.
Preserve Your Family Stories
Capture the precious memories and life lessons of your loved ones. Our simple tools help you record their unique journey for future generations to cherish.
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Helpful Guides for Families
Understanding Medicare Hospice Benefit: A Family Guide
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How to Start Hospice Conversations: A Practical Guide
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Some stories are worth writing down
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