LAKEWOOD HEALTH SYSTEM HOSPICE
Provider Information
- Address
- 401 EAST PRAIRIE AVENUE
STAPLES, MN 56479 - Ownership Type
- Non-Profit
- Medicare Certified Since
- August 6, 1996
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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) | 9 |
| Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN) | 2 |
| Physicians | 1 |
| Volunteers | 10 |
19
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 LAKEWOOD HEALTH SYSTEM HOSPICE 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 That code may be out of date.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 2022.
Care Details from Medicare Data
Medicare computes these numbers from claims and required reporting. They show how LAKEWOOD HEALTH SYSTEM HOSPICE compares to hospices nationwide.
10 minutes
of nurse care per routine home care day, on average
That is the 25th percentile among hospices nationally. The national median is about 12 minutes.
10
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 day10 min
Ranks better than about 25% 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 life79.1%
Ranks better than about 13% 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 visits64.3%
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 care0%
Ranks better than about 81% 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 months14.3%
Ranks better than about 93% 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)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$8,018 · 5th 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 37.4% of patients or more. Most hospices score above 90 percent.
- Pain screening100%
- Pain assessment100%
- Breathing difficulty screening95.2%
- Breathing difficulty treatment91.7%
- Treatment preferences discussed100%
- Beliefs and values discussed100%
- Bowel care for patients on opioids87.2%
- Visits in the last days of life37.4%
- All care steps completed86.8%
Conditions of patients in their care
Share of patients by primary diagnosis. Useful if you want a team with experience in a specific condition.
- Cancer27%
- Dementia14%
- Heart and circulatory disease14%
- Other conditions20%
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Percentiles are computed by CMS across all reporting hospices.
About Lakewood Health System Hospice
Lakewood Health System Hospice serves the community of Staples, Minnesota. They offer care for patients who are at the end of their lives. This provider is part of a hospital system. They have been certified by Medicare since 1996. This long history shows they have helped local families for many years. Their team provides support in the Todd County area. They aim to focus on comfort for every person in their care. It is a non-profit organization. That means any money they make goes back into the care they provide. Families often look for this type of stability during a hard time. You can find them on East Prairie Avenue. They are ready to answer your questions about how hospice works. Their goal is to make sure patients have the right support when they need it most.
About Lakewood Health System Hospice
Lakewood Health System Hospice operates as a non-profit entity. They hold a long standing certification from Medicare. This certification means they follow federal rules for patient safety and care quality. Being a non-profit often means the provider puts all extra funds back into their services. This is a common structure for hospital based hospice programs. Families should know that this provider has earned strong quality of care marks. These marks come from the Hospice Care Index used by government reviewers. These scores reflect how well the team manages pain and supports the needs of their patients. You can rely on these government measures to see how they perform compared to others. The team is dedicated to their mission. They work hard to keep standards high for everyone they serve in the Staples area.
High Quality Standards
What Is Hospice Care Like in Staples?
Hospice care in Staples focuses on comfort and dignity for the patient. The team at Lakewood Health System Hospice includes many different professionals. They have 9 registered nurses on their staff. There are also 2 licensed practical nurses to help with daily care. One physician leads the medical side of their work. They also have 10 volunteers who offer extra time and support to families. A total of 19 employees work to provide this care. This team approach helps cover both physical needs and emotional support. Having a mix of nurses and volunteers allows them to reach many patients at once. They work to keep the patient comfortable in their own home or a care facility. You can expect them to visit as often as the care plan requires. That is the standard way they operate to keep families supported.
What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider
Picking the right hospice team is a big step for any family. You should feel free to ask hard questions before you sign any paperwork. First, ask how quickly a nurse can come to your home if a crisis happens at night. Second, ask how the team will help manage pain or other symptoms. You should also ask how they keep family members updated on the patient status. Finally, ask what kind of support they offer to the family after a loss. These questions help you see if their style matches what you need. Do not be afraid to ask for clear answers. Good providers want you to feel sure about your choice. They know you are going through a lot. Take your time to get the information you need before you decide on a path forward.
Keep Your Family Stories Safe
During this time, you might want to save memories of your loved ones for the future.
Preserve MemoriesOther Hospice Providers Nearby
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ESSENTIA HEALTH ST MARY'S HOSPICE & PALLIATIVE CARE SERVICES
HOSPICE OF MURRAY COUNTY INC
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Helpful Guides for Families
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How to Start the Hospice Conversation: A Practical Guide
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Understanding Medicare Hospice Benefits: A Family Guide
Navigating end-of-life care is complex. Our guide to Understanding Medicare Hospice Benefits helps you manage costs, coverage, and care with confidence today.
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.