DIERKSEN HOSPICE
Provider Information
- Address
- 5520 PLAZA DR
TEXARKANA, TX 75503 - Ownership Type
- For-Profit
- Medicare Certified Since
- November 10, 2005
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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 |
| Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN) | 1 |
| Volunteers | 0 |
19
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 DIERKSEN 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 DIERKSEN HOSPICE compares to hospices nationwide.
12.2 minutes
of nurse care per routine home care day, on average
That is the 50th percentile among hospices nationally. The national median is about 12 minutes.
54
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 day12.2 min
Ranks better than about 50% 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 weekends6.8%
Ranks better than about 36% 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 visits62.1%
Ranks better than about 37% 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 care14%
Ranks better than about 11% 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 months41.9%
Ranks better than about 35% 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 care23.7%
Ranks better than about 3% 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 hospice2.2%
Ranks better than about 35% 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)79th 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$22,101 · 71st 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 84.5% of patients or more. Most hospices score above 90 percent.
- Pain screening100%
- Pain assessment100%
- Breathing difficulty screening99.3%
- Breathing difficulty treatment93.4%
- Treatment preferences discussed100%
- Beliefs and values discussed100%
- Bowel care for patients on opioids100%
- Visits in the last days of life84.5%
- 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.
- Cancer14%
- Dementia41%
- Heart and circulatory disease16%
- Lung and respiratory disease12%
- Stroke6%
- Other conditions13%
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, reporting period January 2023 through December 2024. Percentiles are computed by CMS across all reporting hospices.
DIERKSEN HOSPICE
DIERKSEN HOSPICE serves the Texarkana, Texas area from its location on Plaza Drive. As a freestanding hospice provider, they offer end of life care services to families in Bowie County. This agency has held Medicare certification since November 2005. They also carry accreditation from CHAP. That organization sets high standards for care and safety. Accreditation means an outside group checked their work against national goals. It is a sign of their commitment to meeting quality rules. Families in the local area can look to this provider for support during a difficult time. Their team works to meet the needs of each patient. Choosing a local provider helps keep care close to home. That is a benefit for many patients. They have been providing these services for nearly twenty years now.
About DIERKSEN HOSPICE
DIERKSEN HOSPICE operates as a for profit provider. They have been part of the Medicare program since late 2005. Being a CHAP accredited provider is a clear indicator of how they run their daily operations. The Community Health Accreditation Partner, known as CHAP, reviews hospice agencies to ensure they follow strict safety guidelines. They look at clinical records and how the staff treats patients every day. This helps ensure that the care you receive meets high expectations. Most families want to know that their loved ones are in good hands. This agency has a team of 19 employees ready to help. This includes 8 registered nurses and 1 licensed practical nurse. Having a strong nursing staff allows them to manage symptoms and comfort needs effectively. They focus on the medical side of care while supporting the family unit. You should ask about their specific experience with your loved one's health condition.
Quality Overview
What Is Hospice Care Like in TEXARKANA?
Hospice care in Texarkana focuses on comfort and dignity for patients facing a life limiting illness. The goal is to manage pain and other symptoms so the patient can spend their time at home. Many local providers offer care in private houses or nursing facilities. At DIERKSEN HOSPICE, the staff includes 8 registered nurses and 1 licensed practical nurse to provide this support. They do not have volunteers on their current staff list. This team works together to create a plan that fits the specific needs of the patient. Nurses visit to monitor health changes and adjust medicine as needed. They also teach family members how to help with daily tasks. Having a professional team nearby makes a big difference for everyone involved. It allows the family to focus on being together instead of worrying about medical logistics. This is the primary purpose of hospice care in our community.
What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider
Asking the right questions helps you feel more confident about your decision. You should start by asking how quickly a nurse can get to your home if a problem happens at night. It is also good to ask how they handle pain management and if they have doctors on call. You might want to know how often a nurse will visit your home during the week. Ask what happens if the patient needs a higher level of care than the home can provide. Does the agency have a contract with a local hospital or a separate inpatient unit? You should also ask how they support family members who are grieving. Do they offer counseling or other helpful services? Understanding these details early on will help you avoid surprises later. Take your time to get clear answers before you sign any paperwork. You deserve to feel comfortable with the care team you choose.
Preserve Your Family Stories
Your loved one has a unique history that deserves to be remembered for generations to come.
Start Preserving MemoriesOther Hospice Providers Nearby
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