GUIDING LIGHT HOSPICE
Provider Information
- Address
- 2315 NORTH 5TH ST
ELKO, NV 89801 - Ownership Type
- For-Profit
- Medicare Certified Since
- November 30, 2017
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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 |
| Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN) | 2 |
| Physicians | 2 |
21
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 GUIDING LIGHT 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
- General inpatient care (for pain or symptoms that cannot be managed elsewhere)
- 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 2021.
Care Details from Medicare Data
Medicare computes these numbers from claims and required reporting. They show how GUIDING LIGHT HOSPICE compares to hospices nationwide.
8 minutes
of nurse care per routine home care day, on average
That is the 9th percentile among hospices nationally. The national median is about 12 minutes.
35
patients in care on an average day
A rough measure of size. Smaller can mean more personal. Larger can mean more resources.
Medicare reports this hospice billed for routine home care only. Hospices can also provide continuous home care, inpatient care, and respite care when symptoms are harder to manage. There can be good reasons for this. Ask the provider how they handle a crisis at home.
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 day8 min
Ranks better than about 9% 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 weekends19.4%
Ranks better than about 94% 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 life63.5%
Ranks better than about 5% 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 visits87.5%
Ranks better than about 7% 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 care2.9%
Ranks better than about 74% 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 months37.1%
Ranks better than about 49% 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 care25.7%
Ranks better than about 2% 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 hospice14.3%
Ranks better than about 1% 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$21,881 · 70th 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 1 required care step for new patients here.
- Visits in the last days of life0%
Conditions of patients in their care
Share of patients by primary diagnosis. Useful if you want a team with experience in a specific condition.
- Cancer31%
- Heart and circulatory disease26%
- Lung and respiratory disease11%
- Other conditions20%
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Percentiles are computed by CMS across all reporting hospices.
Guiding Light Hospice in Elko
Guiding Light Hospice serves families in Elko, Nevada, from their location on North 5th Street. This freestanding hospice provider offers care to patients with life-limiting illnesses. They have been certified by Medicare since late 2017. The organization maintains accreditation from the Community Health Accreditation Partner, also known as CHAP. This status shows they meet specific national standards for healthcare quality and safety. Choosing a hospice provider is a major decision for any family. Learning about their background helps you understand if they fit your specific needs.
About Guiding Light Hospice
Guiding Light Hospice operates as a for-profit provider. They have been active in the Medicare program for several years. The CHAP accreditation they hold is a voluntary step. It means an outside group checked their work against high standards. These groups look at how a hospice manages pain and supports the emotional needs of patients. Having this stamp of approval gives families extra confidence in the care process. The team includes twenty-one employees in total. This count covers three registered nurses, two licensed practical nurses, and two physicians. These professionals work together to manage symptoms at home. Staff size matters. A larger team can often handle sudden changes in a patient's health more easily. Always check if the current staff levels match the needs of your loved one before you sign any paperwork.
Quality of Care Summary
What Is Hospice Care Like in ELKO?
Hospice care in Elko focuses on comfort and dignity for people during their final months. Providers here must follow strict federal rules to keep their Medicare certification. This ensures your loved one receives consistent care regardless of which agency you pick. At Guiding Light Hospice, the clinical team is built around a group of three registered nurses and two licensed practical nurses. They also employ two physicians to oversee medical orders. This team manages pain, supplies medical equipment, and offers guidance to family caregivers. Hospice is not just about the patient. It is also about helping the family understand what to expect. You should talk to the staff about their specific experience with your loved one's condition. Getting answers early helps everyone feel more prepared. Good communication is the foundation of effective care in this region.
What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider
You should feel empowered to ask direct questions during your first meeting. Start by asking how many staff members are available for after-hours calls. This is a common concern for many families. Ask how the team handles sudden pain spikes in the middle of the night. You should also ask how often a nurse will visit your home. Some agencies visit more often than others depending on the patient's needs. Ask if the hospice provides all the needed medications and medical equipment directly. You need to know if you will have to pay for any items out of your own pocket. Finally, ask what happens if your loved one needs to go to an inpatient unit. Knowing the answer to these questions will help you make a clear choice.
Preserve Your Family Stories
Your family history is a gift that should be kept safe for future generations. Capture these memories now to ensure your loved one's voice is never lost.
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