SAKAKAWEA MEDICAL CENTER HOSPICE
Provider Information
- Address
- 903 SUNRISE DRIVE
HAZEN, ND 58545 - Ownership Type
- Non-Profit
- Medicare Certified Since
- April 2, 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) | 3 |
| Physicians | 1 |
| Volunteers | 29 |
6
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 SAKAKAWEA MEDICAL CENTER 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 2022.
Care Details from Medicare Data
Medicare computes these numbers from claims and required reporting. They show how SAKAKAWEA MEDICAL CENTER HOSPICE compares to hospices nationwide.
15.3 minutes
of nurse care per routine home care day, on average
That is the 78th percentile among hospices nationally. The national median is about 12 minutes.
4
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 day15.3 min
Ranks better than about 78% 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 weekends6.3%
Ranks better than about 30% 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 life97.7%
Ranks better than about 84% 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 visits0%
Ranks better than about 99% 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 months0%
Ranks better than about 97% 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)83rd 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$9,802 · 10th 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 6 required care steps for new patients here, completed for 66.7% of patients or more. Most hospices score above 90 percent.
- Pain screening100%
- Breathing difficulty screening100%
- Treatment preferences discussed100%
- Beliefs and values discussed100%
- Visits in the last days of life66.7%
- All care steps completed95.8%
Conditions of patients in their care
Share of patients by primary diagnosis. Useful if you want a team with experience in a specific condition.
- Cancer50%
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, reporting period January 2023 through December 2024. Percentiles are computed by CMS across all reporting hospices.
Compassionate Care in Hazen
Sakakawea Medical Center Hospice serves residents of Hazen, North Dakota and the surrounding Mercer County area. They offer specialized end-of-life support focused on comfort and dignity for patients and their loved ones. This team understands that the final chapter of life requires expert medical care mixed with a gentle, human touch. They aim to manage symptoms while helping families focus on the time they have left together. It is a local service built on community trust. Choosing the right hospice is a heavy decision for any family. Having a provider that knows your town and your neighbors makes a real difference during these tough weeks. Their goal is simple: to make every day count for those they serve.
About SAKAKAWEA MEDICAL CENTER HOSPICE
This hospice operates as a non-profit organization. That is a big deal because it means their focus stays on patient needs rather than profit margins. They have been Medicare certified since April 2, 1996. That is nearly three decades of service to the Hazen community. Longevity like that usually points to a steady, reliable team that knows exactly how to handle complex health situations. When you look at their history, you see a provider that has stood the test of time. They aren't new to this work. They have spent years refining their approach to ensure families get the support they need. You should feel comfortable asking them about their specific experience with your loved one's condition. They are there to provide clear answers during an often confusing time.
Top-Tier Quality of Care
Understanding Hospice Care in HAZEN
Hospice is not a place you go to die. It is a set of services that comes to where you live. In Hazen, this means the team often comes to your own home or a local care facility. The main point is to improve the quality of life when a cure is no longer the primary goal. The team includes nurses, social workers, and volunteers. They work together to keep the patient pain-free and comfortable. But the care doesn't stop with the patient. They also provide emotional support to the family members who are watching a loved one decline. It is about wrapping the whole family in a blanket of support. You are not alone in this. The thing is, many people wait too long to call. Starting early helps everyone adjust better.
What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider
You need to feel confident in the team you pick. Start by asking how quickly they can respond to a middle-of-the-night emergency call. That is a vital detail. Ask how often a nurse will visit your home during the week. You should also ask about their specific experience with your loved one's illness. Do they have special training for it? Finally, ask how they handle spiritual and emotional needs for the family. Do they offer grief support after the loss? These questions will help you see if their values match yours. Do not settle for vague answers. You deserve clear, honest responses. Take notes if you need to. It is okay to be picky. You are choosing a partner for a very difficult journey.
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The memories you share today become the legacy you leave tomorrow. Start capturing your family's unique history and wisdom before those moments slip away.
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