PRAIRIE LAKES HOSPICE
Provider Information
- Address
- 401 9TH AVE NW POST OFFICE BOX 1210
WATERTOWN, SD 57201 - Ownership Type
- Non-Profit
- Medicare Certified Since
- August 7, 1989
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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) | 8 |
8
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 PRAIRIE LAKES HOSPICE 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
- 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 PRAIRIE LAKES HOSPICE compares to hospices nationwide.
33.3 minutes
of nurse care per routine home care day, on average
That is the 99th percentile among hospices nationally. The national median is about 12 minutes.
14
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 day33.3 min
Ranks better than about 99% 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 weekends12.4%
Ranks better than about 81% 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 life98.5%
Ranks better than about 89% 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 visits7.1%
Ranks better than about 97% 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 care4.2%
Ranks better than about 66% 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 months16.7%
Ranks better than about 91% 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 care4.2%
Ranks better than about 66% 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)92nd 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$4,980 · 1st 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 90.7% of patients or more. Most hospices score above 90 percent.
- Pain screening98%
- Pain assessment99.5%
- Breathing difficulty screening100%
- Breathing difficulty treatment99.1%
- Treatment preferences discussed100%
- Beliefs and values discussed100%
- Bowel care for patients on opioids95.5%
- Visits in the last days of life90.7%
- All care steps completed94.5%
Conditions of patients in their care
Share of patients by primary diagnosis. Useful if you want a team with experience in a specific condition.
- Cancer32%
- Dementia24%
- Heart and circulatory disease15%
- Lung and respiratory disease13%
- Other conditions13%
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, reporting period January 2023 through December 2024. Percentiles are computed by CMS across all reporting hospices.
About Prairie Lakes Hospice
Prairie Lakes Hospice serves families in Watertown, South Dakota. They offer end-of-life care focused on comfort and support. This provider has been certified by Medicare since August of 1989. That is over three decades of service to the Codington County community. They operate as a non-profit organization. This structure often means the team stays focused on patient needs rather than profit margins. Choosing a long-standing local provider can offer peace of mind during a difficult time. Their history suggests a stable presence in the region for many years. You can find their office at 401 9th Ave NW. They are ready to answer your questions about how hospice care works. It is helpful to know who is nearby when you need support quickly. Families often find that local knowledge makes a real difference in how care is delivered each day.
About Prairie Lakes Hospice
As a non-profit agency, Prairie Lakes Hospice reinvests its resources back into the care they provide to patients. They have maintained Medicare certification for many years. This certification is a formal process. It ensures the provider meets strict federal rules for safety and quality. Families should look for this status when they compare options. It proves the agency follows standard protocols for medical care. Being a non-profit often shapes the culture of the care team. It encourages a focus on the patient and their loved ones first. You might wonder if they have the right resources to help your family. Their consistent standing with Medicare shows they have kept up with changing health standards for a long time. That is a clear marker of their commitment to the local area. They remain a steady option for those in Watertown who need professional end-of-life support services.
Quality Care Recognition
What Is Hospice Care Like in WATERTOWN?
Hospice care in Watertown centers on a team approach. Prairie Lakes Hospice employs eight staff members. All eight of these employees are registered nurses. This is a very high ratio of nurses. It means your loved one will have direct access to skilled medical eyes. Nurses manage pain and monitor symptoms closely. They also teach family members how to provide support at home. Having such a focused team allows for quick changes to a care plan. When a symptom shifts, a nurse can address it right away. The small size of the team might lead to more personal relationships. You will likely see the same faces during visits. This consistency helps everyone feel more at ease. It is a quiet way to provide high-level care in a home setting. The goal is always to keep the patient as comfortable and alert as possible.
What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider
Choosing the right hospice involves asking clear questions about how they operate. You should feel comfortable asking about their daily routine. Here are a few things to consider asking during your first meeting.
- How often will a nurse visit our home each week?
- Who do we call if we have a concern in the middle of the night?
- What specific services do your nurses provide to help with pain management?
- How does your team coordinate with our regular family doctor?
Asking these questions helps you understand the level of support you will get. Listen for answers that sound simple and direct. You want to know exactly how they will show up for your family. Good communication is the best foundation for care. Take your time to get the answers you need before you decide on a path forward.
Preserve Your Family Stories
The time you spend with your loved ones is precious. Recording your family history and favorite stories can be a powerful way to honor their life and keep their memory alive for future generations.
Start Preserving MemoriesOther Hospice Providers Nearby
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AVERA @ HOME
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