STILLWATER HOSPICE OF SOUTH DAKOTA
Provider Information
- Address
- 3117 W RAPID ST STE 5
RAPID CITY, SD 57702 - Ownership Type
- For-Profit
- Medicare Certified Since
- January 3, 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 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) | 1 |
2
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 STILLWATER HOSPICE OF SOUTH DAKOTA reported, not a check of what it offers today. Confirm current arrangements with the hospice.
An older Medicare record for this hospice lists short-term inpatient care as “not provided.” That code may be out of date. Medicare requires certified hospices to make inpatient care available for symptom management and caregiver respite. Ask this hospice how it arranges a bed if symptoms become hard to manage at home.
- Medical supplies and equipment
- Brought in through an outside supplier
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 STILLWATER HOSPICE OF SOUTH DAKOTA compares to hospices nationwide.
17.4 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.
38
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 day17.4 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 weekends5.7%
Ranks better than about 23% 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 life93.3%
Ranks better than about 49% 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 visits23%
Ranks better than about 86% 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 months26.3%
Ranks better than about 77% 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 care5.3%
Ranks better than about 60% 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 hospice5.3%
Ranks better than about 10% 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$10,629 · 13th 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 62.9% 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 life62.9%
- 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.
- Cancer16%
- Dementia40%
- Heart and circulatory disease12%
- Lung and respiratory disease8%
- Other conditions24%
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, reporting period January 2023 through December 2024. Percentiles are computed by CMS across all reporting hospices.
About Stillwater Hospice of South Dakota
Stillwater Hospice of South Dakota provides care for patients in the Rapid City area. They operate as a freestanding hospice agency serving Pennington County. The agency has been certified by Medicare since early 2017. Their team holds accreditation from the Community Health Accreditation Partner, also known as CHAP. This means they meet high standards for safety and patient care. Choosing a certified provider brings peace of mind during a hard time. It ensures that the care team follows strict federal and private rules. This agency focuses on serving local families with professional hospice support. They remain a constant presence for those needing comfort in their own homes.
About Stillwater Hospice of South Dakota
This provider operates as a for-profit organization. They have maintained their Medicare status for over seven years. Accreditation through CHAP is a big step for any hospice provider. It shows a commitment to quality that goes beyond basic legal requirements. An outside group reviews their entire process to ensure they follow best practices for end-of-life care. Families should look for this stamp of approval when they compare local options. It is a sign that the agency cares about doing things the right way. This agency has a small team with one registered nurse on staff. They work to keep care focused and personal for every single patient. You can feel better knowing they have gone through an official review process.
Quality Performance
What Is Hospice Care Like in Rapid City?
Hospice care in Rapid City focuses on comfort and dignity for patients. The care team comes to you. They visit homes to help manage pain and offer emotional support. This team includes one registered nurse along with other support staff. They work with your doctor to build a plan that fits your specific needs. The goal is to keep you or your loved one comfortable and present in their own environment. Most care happens where the patient lives. That could be a private house or an assisted living facility. Staff members visit on a regular schedule to check on progress. They also provide supplies and medicine. It is about making every day count. If you need someone to talk to, the hospice staff is ready to help you through the process.
What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider
Picking the right hospice is a big decision for any family. You should feel comfortable with the people who will enter your home. Start by asking how quickly they can respond to an urgent call at night. Ask how they handle pain management and if they have a doctor on call. You might also ask how often the nurse will visit your home. It helps to know how they support the family after a loss as well. Does the team offer grief support for your family members? Get clear answers before you sign any paperwork. You deserve to know exactly what kind of care to expect. Keep these questions written down. It makes the conversation easier when you speak with the hospice office staff.
Preserve Your Family Stories
Every life has a unique story worth saving. We offer tools to help you record memories and share them with the people you love most.
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