HospiceScout

AVERA @ HOME

OtherFreestanding Hospice

Provider Information

Address
1115 E 5TH AVE
MITCHELL, SD 57301
Ownership Type
Other
Medicare Certified Since
July 28, 1993

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CMS Quality Ratings

Overall Rating

Composite score combining quality measures and patient survey results.

Quality of Care

Based on the CMS Hospice Care Index — 10 operational quality indicators including visits near death, nursing minutes, and care transitions.

Patient Satisfaction

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

Staffing breakdown for AVERA @ HOME
RoleStaff Count
Registered Nurses (RN)14
Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN)1
Volunteers17

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 AVERA @ HOME reported, not a check of what it offers today. Confirm current arrangements with the hospice.

Short-term inpatient care
Both provided directly and arranged with other facilities

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.

Type of inpatient care
Both general inpatient care and respite care
Medical supplies and equipment
Both supplied directly and through outside suppliers

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 AVERA @ HOME compares to hospices nationwide.

15.1 minutes

of nurse care per routine home care day, on average

That is the 77th percentile among hospices nationally. The national median is about 12 minutes.

101

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 day15.1 min

    Ranks better than about 77% 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 weekends4.5%

    Ranks better than about 11% 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 life97.3%

    Ranks better than about 81% 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 visits36.6%

    Ranks better than about 71% 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 care9.6%

    Ranks better than about 29% 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 months57.7%

    Ranks better than about 9% 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 care3.8%

    Ranks better than about 68% 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 hospice1.9%

    Ranks better than about 39% 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$18,097 · 51st 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 74.1% of patients or more. Most hospices score above 90 percent.
  • Pain screening99.7%
  • Pain assessment98.5%
  • Breathing difficulty screening99.4%
  • Breathing difficulty treatment98.6%
  • Treatment preferences discussed100%
  • Beliefs and values discussed100%
  • Bowel care for patients on opioids100%
  • Visits in the last days of life74.1%
  • All care steps completed95.9%

Conditions of patients in their care

Share of patients by primary diagnosis. Useful if you want a team with experience in a specific condition.

  • Cancer21%
  • Dementia25%
  • Heart and circulatory disease22%
  • Lung and respiratory disease12%
  • Stroke4%
  • Other conditions19%

Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, reporting period January 2023 through December 2024. Percentiles are computed by CMS across all reporting hospices.

AVERA @ HOME

AVERA @ HOME provides hospice services in Mitchell, South Dakota. This freestanding hospice center serves families in Davison County and the surrounding area. They have been certified by Medicare for over thirty years. Their team works to provide end of life care for patients who need comfort and support. Choosing a hospice provider is a significant step for your family. This team is ready to help you manage care needs near your own home.

About AVERA @ HOME

AVERA @ HOME is classified as an other ownership type. They have held Medicare certification since July 1993. This long history shows they have worked with federal quality standards for many years. Medicare certification is a standard that ensures providers meet safety and care requirements. The team includes 34 employees in total. This count includes 14 registered nurses and one licensed practical nurse. They also work with 17 volunteers. Volunteers often provide extra companionship or help with daily tasks for patients. That is a large group of helpers available to support the clinical team. You should ask about how these staff members work together to serve your loved one. Understanding the staff mix helps you feel more prepared about the care your family will receive.

Quality Overview

This provider holds high marks for quality of care and strong patient satisfaction scores. Their consistent performance across federal metrics shows a commitment to meeting patient needs.

What Is Hospice Care Like in MITCHELL?

Hospice care in Mitchell focuses on comfort and dignity for patients facing a terminal illness. The team at AVERA @ HOME uses their 14 registered nurses to manage pain and other symptoms. They also rely on a team of volunteers to add personal support. The goal is to keep patients in their own homes whenever possible. Staff members visit patients to provide medical care and emotional support for the whole family. They coordinate with your doctor to make sure the plan fits your specific goals. It is a team approach that puts the patient at the center of every decision. You can expect regular check-ins from the nursing staff. They are there to answer questions about medications or physical changes. Having this support nearby makes a difference during difficult times.

What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider

You should feel empowered to ask questions before you start services. Start by asking how often a nurse will visit your home. You should also ask how the team handles urgent medical needs after regular business hours. Ask about the role of volunteers and what specific tasks they can help with. It is also good to ask how they support family members who are grieving. Do they offer counseling or other resources? Finally, ask how they coordinate with your current primary care doctor. Clear communication is the best way to ensure your loved one gets the right care. You deserve to have all your concerns addressed before you make a final decision.

Preserving Family Memories

Capture your family stories and history while you have the time. Our simple tools help you save these precious moments for future generations.

Start Your Story

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