SAINT LUKE'S HOSPICE
Provider Information
- Address
- 3516 SUMMIT STREET
KANSAS CITY, MO 64111 - Ownership Type
- Non-Profit
- Medicare Certified Since
- April 22, 1987
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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) | 20 |
| Physicians | 2 |
34
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 SAINT LUKE'S HOSPICE 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
- Respite care (up to five days at a time, to give family caregivers a break)
- 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 SAINT LUKE'S HOSPICE compares to hospices nationwide.
17.6 minutes
of nurse care per routine home care day, on average
That is the 89th percentile among hospices nationally. The national median is about 12 minutes.
71
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 day17.6 min
Ranks better than about 89% 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 weekends15.8%
Ranks better than about 89% 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 life97.1%
Ranks better than about 80% 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 visits45.6%
Ranks better than about 59% 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 care10.9%
Ranks better than about 22% 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 months23.3%
Ranks better than about 83% 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 care4.7%
Ranks better than about 63% 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 hospice3.1%
Ranks better than about 24% 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)100th 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$7,426 · 4th 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 64.8% of patients or more. Most hospices score above 90 percent.
- Pain screening99.7%
- Pain assessment100%
- Breathing difficulty screening99.9%
- Breathing difficulty treatment99.9%
- Treatment preferences discussed100%
- Beliefs and values discussed99.9%
- Bowel care for patients on opioids100%
- Visits in the last days of life64.8%
- All care steps completed99.4%
Conditions of patients in their care
Share of patients by primary diagnosis. Useful if you want a team with experience in a specific condition.
- Cancer38%
- Dementia7%
- Heart and circulatory disease14%
- Lung and respiratory disease13%
- Stroke6%
- Other conditions24%
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, reporting period January 2023 through December 2024. Percentiles are computed by CMS across all reporting hospices.
Saint Luke's Hospice in Kansas City
Saint Luke's Hospice serves families throughout Kansas City, Missouri from their location on Summit Street. This provider offers end-of-life care services to support patients and their loved ones during difficult times. They have been certified by Medicare for over thirty-five years. This long history shows their commitment to meeting federal safety and care standards for the community. Families in Jackson County often look to established providers for this type of specialized support.
About Saint Luke's Hospice
Saint Luke's Hospice operates as a non-profit organization. This means their focus remains on patient care goals rather than generating profits for outside owners. They have maintained Medicare certification since 1987. That is a long time to serve the public. Being a non-profit often allows a provider to reinvest resources into staff training and patient support programs. Their team includes two physicians and twenty registered nurses who work together to manage pain and comfort. Having this many nurses on staff helps the team respond quickly when needs change. You should know that their structure is built to provide consistent care for every patient they serve.
Quality Overview
What Is Hospice Care Like in Kansas City?
Hospice care in Kansas City focuses on comfort and dignity for those with a limited life expectancy. The goal is to manage symptoms so the patient can spend time with family in a familiar setting. At Saint Luke's Hospice, the care team consists of thirty-four total employees. This group includes twenty registered nurses and two physicians who oversee medical decisions. They work to ensure that every patient gets the right level of attention. These professionals visit homes to provide care and support. It is a team effort. They coordinate with family members to make sure everyone understands the plan of care. This local team works hard to keep patients comfortable at home or in a facility.
What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider
Choosing the right support for your family is a big decision. Start by asking how quickly a nurse can reach your home during an emergency. You should also ask how the team will help manage specific symptoms like pain or trouble breathing. Ask about the frequency of nurse visits during the week. It is also good to ask how they support family caregivers who might feel tired or overwhelmed. Do they offer volunteers to sit with patients? Will they help with spiritual or emotional needs as well? Get clear answers to these questions before you make your final choice. You deserve to feel confident in the care your loved one receives.
Preserve Family Stories
Capture the life stories and wisdom of your loved ones to keep their memory alive for years to come.
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