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 August 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 screening99.4%
- Breathing difficulty treatment95.3%
- Treatment preferences discussed100%
- Beliefs and values discussed100%
- Bowel care for patients on opioids100%
- Visits in the last days of life84.5%
- All care steps completed96.9%
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. Percentiles are computed by CMS across all reporting hospices.
DIERKSEN HOSPICE
Dierksen Hospice provides end of life care for families in Texarkana, Texas. This provider operates as a freestanding hospice to serve those in Bowie County. They hold accreditation from CHAP, which shows they meet high standards for safety and care. Medicare certified their services in 2005. Choosing a hospice provider is a major decision for your family. This team offers support based on years of experience in the local area. They focus on helping people live their final days with comfort and dignity. Having an accredited partner helps ensure the care you receive meets set quality goals. This provider serves the community from their office on Plaza Drive. They bring a professional approach to home care needs.
About DIERKSEN HOSPICE
This is a for-profit hospice provider. They have been certified by Medicare for nearly two decades. Accreditation from CHAP is a key detail for families to consider. This group sets strict rules for how a hospice must operate. They check providers to make sure they follow best practices. A CHAP seal means the hospice team works hard to maintain high quality. It serves as a sign that they value external review. You should know that this provider maintains a team of 19 employees. This includes 8 registered nurses and 1 licensed practical nurse. They do not currently use volunteers. Families should ask how these staff members work together to cover needs at night or on weekends. This information helps you understand the team behind the care plan. It is a simple way to see how they manage their daily work.
Quality Performance
What Is Hospice Care Like in TEXARKANA?
Hospice care in Texarkana focuses on keeping patients comfortable in their own homes. Most families prefer this setting over a hospital room. The team at Dierksen Hospice includes 8 registered nurses who handle the medical side of care. They also have a licensed practical nurse on staff to help with daily tasks. These professionals work to manage pain and other symptoms. They spend time teaching family members how to help their loved ones. This care happens right where you live. It allows for a familiar environment during a difficult time. The staff coordinates with your doctors to ensure everyone stays on the same page. Having a dedicated team nearby makes a difference. You can count on these professionals to provide support when symptoms change. They are there to listen and offer guidance throughout the process.
What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider
You have the right to ask questions before picking a provider. It helps to be clear about your needs. Start by asking how the team handles after-hours calls. You need to know who will answer the phone at 2:00 AM. Ask how quickly a nurse can get to your home if a crisis occurs. It is also good to ask how they support family caregivers. Do they provide training for daily tasks? You should also ask how they communicate with your primary doctor. Ask how many patients each nurse usually sees in a single day. This helps you understand how much time they can spend with your loved one. Clarity helps reduce stress. Get all your answers in writing if that makes you feel better. You deserve peace of mind during this time.
Preserve Your Family Stories
Your family history is a gift that should last forever. Create a digital record to keep your memories safe for the next generation.
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