LAKEWOOD HEALTH SYSTEM HOSPICE
Provider Information
- Address
- 401 EAST PRAIRIE AVENUE
STAPLES, MN 56479 - Ownership Type
- Other
- 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 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) | 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 That code may be out of date.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 screening94.7%
- Breathing difficulty treatment90%
- Treatment preferences discussed100%
- Beliefs and values discussed100%
- Bowel care for patients on opioids86.5%
- Visits in the last days of life37.4%
- All care steps completed85.3%
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, reporting period January 2023 through December 2024. Percentiles are computed by CMS across all reporting hospices.
Lakewood Health System Hospice
Lakewood Health System Hospice serves the Staples community and the surrounding areas in Todd County. This hospital-based provider offers end-of-life care designed to support patient comfort and family needs. They have served the region since 1996. Their team is dedicated to providing care that meets Medicare standards for quality and safety. Families in Minnesota often choose this local option for their hospice requirements.
About Lakewood Health System Hospice
This hospice operates under the Lakewood Health System, which functions as a hospital. Being part of a hospital system can offer unique benefits for patients who need access to medical resources. They earned Medicare certification in August of 1996. This long history shows a commitment to serving the area for many years. Medicare certification means they meet federal rules for quality and care. Families should know that this provider maintains strong quality-of-care marks based on the CMS Hospice Care Index. They have a team of 19 total employees, including nine registered nurses and two licensed practical nurses. They also have one physician on staff to guide clinical decisions. Having ten volunteers also adds a layer of extra support for families. These numbers help show how they distribute their care resources to those who need them most.
Quality Performance
What Is Hospice Care Like in Staples?
Hospice care in Staples focuses on comfort and dignity for patients during their final months. Because Lakewood Health System is a hospital, they bring a medical perspective to home care. Their team includes nine registered nurses and two licensed practical nurses. This staffing level ensures that patients receive regular visits from skilled professionals. A doctor also oversees the medical side of the care plan. Ten volunteers round out the team to provide extra help with daily tasks or companionship. This mix of staff helps ensure that physical and emotional needs are met. Families often find that having this level of professional support nearby makes a real difference. It allows for faster responses when changes in health occur. That is how they manage care in the local community.
What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider
Choosing the right care team is a big decision for your family. You should feel comfortable asking direct questions before you sign any paperwork. Start by asking how often a nurse will visit your home. You should also ask how the team manages pain and other symptoms at night or on weekends. It is helpful to know how they handle emergency calls when the office is closed. Ask if they have experience with your specific health needs or conditions. You may want to know how they involve family members in the daily care process. Finally, ask what kind of support they offer to family members after a loss. Getting clear answers will help you feel more prepared for the road ahead.
Keep Your Family Stories Alive
Preserve the memories and wisdom of your loved ones for future generations to cherish.
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