GUNDERSEN LUTHERAN MEDICAL CENTER
Provider Information
- Address
- 333 FRONT ST N
LA CROSSE, WI 54601 - Ownership Type
- Other
- Medicare Certified Since
- April 24, 2003
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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) | 19 |
| Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN) | 2 |
| Physicians | 1 |
| Volunteers | 76 |
43
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 GUNDERSEN LUTHERAN MEDICAL CENTER 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 2010.
Care Details from Medicare Data
Medicare computes these numbers from claims and required reporting. They show how GUNDERSEN LUTHERAN MEDICAL CENTER compares to hospices nationwide.
16.1 minutes
of nurse care per routine home care day, on average
That is the 83rd percentile among hospices nationally. The national median is about 12 minutes.
73
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 day16.1 min
Ranks better than about 83% 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 weekends11.5%
Ranks better than about 78% 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 life95.4%
Ranks better than about 64% 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 visits54%
Ranks better than about 48% 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 care6.4%
Ranks better than about 50% 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 months27.7%
Ranks better than about 74% 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 care0%
Ranks better than about 81% 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)83rd 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$11,416 · 16th 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 76.1% of patients or more. Most hospices score above 90 percent.
- Pain screening97.2%
- Pain assessment99.4%
- Breathing difficulty screening99.8%
- Breathing difficulty treatment99.5%
- Treatment preferences discussed100%
- Beliefs and values discussed100%
- Bowel care for patients on opioids98.4%
- Visits in the last days of life76.1%
- All care steps completed96.3%
Conditions of patients in their care
Share of patients by primary diagnosis. Useful if you want a team with experience in a specific condition.
- Cancer31%
- Dementia8%
- Heart and circulatory disease21%
- Lung and respiratory disease5%
- Stroke21%
- Other conditions16%
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Percentiles are computed by CMS across all reporting hospices.
GUNDERSEN LUTHERAN MEDICAL CENTER
GUNDERSEN LUTHERAN MEDICAL CENTER serves the La Crosse, Wisconsin area with end of life support services. This freestanding hospice provider has offered care to the community since early 2003. They hold accreditation from the Joint Commission. This means an outside group checks their work against high standards. It is a sign of their commitment to safety. Families in La Crosse can look to them for medical and personal support during a difficult time. Their team works to provide comfort right where you live.
About GUNDERSEN LUTHERAN MEDICAL CENTER
This provider operates as a freestanding hospice under an other ownership model. They have been certified by Medicare for over twenty years. The Joint Commission accreditation is a key detail for your family. This group checks hospitals and clinics to ensure they meet tough rules for patient care. When a hospice meets these standards, it shows they focus on doing things the right way. You should know they have a large team of 76 volunteers. These people give their time to support patients and their families. With 19 registered nurses and two licensed practical nurses on staff, they have a clear structure for care. A physician also leads the medical side of their services. This mix of staff helps them manage pain and symptoms for those they serve. It is a solid foundation for home hospice care.
Quality Performance
What Is Hospice Care Like in LA CROSSE?
Hospice care in La Crosse focuses on keeping patients comfortable in their own homes. The team visits to check on symptoms and offer emotional support. Because GUNDERSEN LUTHERAN MEDICAL CENTER uses a large volunteer group, patients often get extra companionship. Their staff includes 19 registered nurses and two licensed practical nurses. This means they have enough medical pros to handle daily needs. A doctor also oversees the care plan to make sure it fits the patient. Most families find that having a nurse visit regularly brings peace of mind. It helps keep the patient calm and pain free. You can expect the team to listen to your needs. They adjust the plan if things change. That is how they keep the focus on the patient at all times.
What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider
Choosing the right hospice involves asking direct questions. You need to know how they handle emergencies during the night. Ask if a nurse is available by phone 24 hours a day. You should also ask how often a nurse will visit the home. Make sure you understand how they manage pain and other symptoms. Ask about the role of volunteers and what tasks they can help with. It is also good to ask how they support family members who are grieving. Knowing these answers helps you feel more ready to make a choice. Take your time with these talks. You deserve clear answers about the care your loved one will receive.
Save Your Family Stories
Capture the life stories and memories of your loved ones while you still have the chance.
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Helpful Guides for Families
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Understanding Hospice Levels of Care: A Family Guide
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Hospice at Home vs. Inpatient: Choosing the Right Care
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Some stories are worth writing down
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