GOOD SAMARITAN SOCIETY HOSPICE
Provider Information
- Address
- 24090 SMILEY ROAD, SUITE 200
NISSWA, MN 56468 - Ownership Type
- Non-Profit
- Medicare Certified Since
- January 26, 2007
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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 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
| Role | Staff Count |
|---|---|
| Registered Nurses (RN) | 4 |
| Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN) | 1 |
12
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 GOOD SAMARITAN SOCIETY 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 2017.
Care Details from Medicare Data
Medicare computes these numbers from claims and required reporting. They show how GOOD SAMARITAN SOCIETY HOSPICE compares to hospices nationwide.
12.9 minutes
of nurse care per routine home care day, on average
That is the 57th percentile among hospices nationally. The national median is about 12 minutes.
44
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 day12.9 min
Ranks better than about 57% 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 weekends6.1%
Ranks better than about 27% 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 life95.2%
Ranks better than about 63% 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 visits63.4%
Ranks better than about 35% 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 care3.6%
Ranks better than about 70% 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)67th 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$19,328 · 57th 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 76.1% of patients or more. Most hospices score above 90 percent.
- Pain screening100%
- Pain assessment100%
- Breathing difficulty screening100%
- Breathing difficulty treatment98.8%
- Treatment preferences discussed100%
- Beliefs and values discussed100%
- Visits in the last days of life76.1%
- All care steps completed99.2%
Conditions of patients in their care
Share of patients by primary diagnosis. Useful if you want a team with experience in a specific condition.
- Cancer23%
- Dementia29%
- Heart and circulatory disease19%
- Lung and respiratory disease10%
- Stroke7%
- Other conditions17%
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Percentiles are computed by CMS across all reporting hospices.
Good Samaritan Society Hospice
Good Samaritan Society Hospice serves families in the Nisswa, Minnesota area from their office on Smiley Road. They provide end of life care for patients who choose to remain at home or in a facility. As a non-profit organization, they focus on patient comfort and symptom management. This provider has been certified by Medicare since early 2007. They bring years of experience to the Crow Wing County region. Their team works to support the physical and emotional needs of people facing a terminal illness. Local families often look for care that is nearby and easy to reach. This hospice provider is a freestanding site designed to meet that need. Their presence in Nisswa means that professional support is available when it matters most. They aim to provide care that aligns with the wishes of their patients and their loved ones.
About Good Samaritan Society Hospice
This hospice operates as a non-profit organization. Non-profit status often means that any extra funds go back into the care services provided to the community. They have maintained Medicare certification for many years. This certification requires them to meet strict federal standards for safety and quality. Families should know that these standards cover everything from staff training to how they manage pain medications. Being a freestanding hospice means they focus only on hospice care. They are not part of a larger hospital system. This can sometimes lead to a more personal approach for the people they serve. Their long history of certification shows a consistent commitment to meeting government rules. You can check their records to see how they perform on official quality measures. It is a good way to see if their approach matches what your family wants for your loved one during this time.
Quality Performance
What Is Hospice Care Like in Nisswa?
Hospice care in this part of Minnesota relies on small, dedicated teams. Good Samaritan Society Hospice employs 12 staff members to handle their daily operations. This group includes four registered nurses and one licensed practical nurse. These nurses manage the medical side of care. They work with the rest of the team to keep the patient as comfortable as possible. The staff visits the patient wherever they live. This could be a private house or a local care facility. Most people want to stay in a familiar place. The team provides the medical equipment and supplies needed for that goal. They also offer guidance to family members who are acting as caregivers. Having a local team makes it easier to get help quickly when symptoms change. You can expect regular visits from the nurses to monitor the health of your loved one. That is how they help maintain quality of life.
What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider
Picking the right hospice is a major decision for any family. You should feel comfortable asking direct questions to the staff before you sign up. First, ask how quickly a nurse can get to your home if a crisis happens at night. You need to know that support is available 24 hours a day. Second, ask how they handle pain and other difficult symptoms. A good provider will have a clear plan for keeping the patient comfortable at all times. Third, ask how they support family caregivers who may be tired or need a break. It is also wise to ask about their volunteers and what extra services they provide. Do not be afraid to ask about their experience with your specific diagnosis. You deserve to understand the plan of care before it starts. Clear communication is the best way to ensure your loved one gets the right help.
Keep Your Family Stories Alive
During this time, capturing memories and stories can be a comfort for everyone in the family.
Start Preserving MemoriesOther Hospice Providers Nearby
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