DEACONESS HOSPICE
Provider Information
- Address
- 1121 N 16TH AVENUE, SUITE A
LAUREL, MS 39440 - Ownership Type
- For-Profit
- Medicare Certified Since
- January 15, 1997
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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) | 3 |
| Physicians | 1 |
9
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 DEACONESS 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 2020.
Care Details from Medicare Data
Medicare computes these numbers from claims and required reporting. They show how DEACONESS HOSPICE compares to hospices nationwide.
12.7 minutes
of nurse care per routine home care day, on average
That is the 55th percentile among hospices nationally. The national median is about 12 minutes.
36
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 day12.7 min
Ranks better than about 55% 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 weekends7%
Ranks better than about 39% 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 life97.5%
Ranks better than about 83% 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 visits33.6%
Ranks better than about 75% 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 months17.1%
Ranks better than about 91% 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 care7.3%
Ranks better than about 49% 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 hospice4.9%
Ranks better than about 11% 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$15,516 · 36th 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 78.1% of patients or more. Most hospices score above 90 percent.
- Pain screening100%
- Pain assessment100%
- Breathing difficulty screening100%
- Breathing difficulty treatment100%
- Treatment preferences discussed100%
- Beliefs and values discussed100%
- Bowel care for patients on opioids100%
- Visits in the last days of life78.1%
- All care steps completed100%
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%
- Dementia31%
- Heart and circulatory disease15%
- Lung and respiratory disease11%
- Other conditions20%
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Percentiles are computed by CMS across all reporting hospices.
Deaconess Hospice in Laurel
Deaconess Hospice serves the Laurel community from its office on North 16th Avenue. This freestanding hospice provider offers end-of-life support for patients in Jones County. They have been certified by Medicare since early 1997. This long history shows their commitment to local families who need care at home or in other settings. They provide medical and emotional support to ensure comfort during a difficult time. Choosing the right team matters. Their work focuses on managing pain while keeping patients close to their loved ones in Mississippi. You can reach their office directly to learn about their service area and specific care options for your needs.
About Deaconess Hospice
Deaconess Hospice operates as a for-profit provider. They have served the area for over twenty-five years. Being Medicare certified means they meet federal rules for safety and care quality. This is a baseline for any hospice provider you consider. The team at this location is small but focused. They employ nine staff members in total. This includes one physician who oversees medical decisions and three registered nurses who handle daily needs. A small team often means more consistent communication with your family. You will know exactly who is coming to your home to help. Families should look for providers that share clear information about their care teams and response times. This provider has earned high marks for their quality of care based on official reports. That reflects their focus on following standard medical guidelines for comfort and symptom management.
Quality Performance
What Is Hospice Care Like in Laurel?
Hospice care in Mississippi focuses on keeping patients comfortable in their own homes. It is not just about physical health. It includes help for the whole family. The team visits you to manage pain and other symptoms. They also offer guidance on what to expect as a loved one declines. At Deaconess Hospice, the staff includes one physician and three registered nurses. These professionals work together to create a plan that fits your specific situation. They coordinate with your primary doctor to keep everyone on the same page. Having a small, dedicated group of nurses means you have familiar faces during your visits. They provide the medical support that allows families to focus on spending time together. That is the true goal of hospice. It is about quality of life every single day.
What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider
You should feel confident in your choice. Start by asking how many nurses will be assigned to your specific case. You need to know how they handle emergencies after hours or on the weekend. Ask how quickly a nurse can get to your home if a crisis occurs. It is also smart to ask how they keep your family doctor involved in the care plan. Clear communication prevents confusion during stressful moments. Find out what equipment they provide and what you might need to supply yourself. Most importantly, ask how they handle changes in pain levels at night. A good provider will have a clear answer for every one of these questions. Do not hesitate to ask for details until you feel satisfied with the answers they provide.
Keep Your Family Stories Alive
Your loved one has a lifetime of stories that deserve to be remembered. Recording these memories is a beautiful way to honor their life and provide comfort for generations to come.
Start Preserving StoriesOther Hospice Providers Nearby
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