Elk City Comforting Hands Hospice LLC
A hospice in Elk City, Oklahoma 73644
401 East 3rd Street, Elk City, Oklahoma 73644. (580) 225-1738.
Watch and the shortlist are kept with a free account, on every device. Your watch list. CMS’s own record is on Care Compare.
The short answer
Record last released by CMS on Oct 23, 2026.
- 8 deficiencies cited in the last three years
- Not rated family caregiver rating
- 9of 10 CMS’s Hospice Care Index
Each figure’s source sits beside it, in its section below.
What these words mean2
- Inspection (survey)
- A visit by state inspectors, often unannounced, who check a place against the rules it must meet. For nursing homes and other places Medicare pays, CMS calls these visits surveys: a standard survey of a nursing home comes at least every 15 months, and a complaint survey whenever a complaint calls for one. Source: CMS; 42 CFR 488.308.
- Deficiency, citation, violation
- What inspectors write up when a place didn’t meet a rule: the rule, what they saw, and when. CMS calls it a deficiency; states may say citation or violation. It is the inspectors’ finding, not a court’s, and the place is usually asked for a plan to correct it. Source: CMS, statement of deficiencies (Form CMS-2567); each state’s licensing agency.
What did inspectors find?
8 deficiencies cited in the last three years
The middle of the 10 hospices serving ZIP code 73644 had 6.
The last inspection on record was on Feb 15, 2024: a reaccreditation inspection by The Joint Commission.
CMS, QCOR hospice inspection reports. Released Oct 23, 2026. Updated quarterly.
CMS, Hospice ZIP Data. Released Aug 26, 2026. Updated quarterly.
When those deficiencies happened
8 deficiencies in 1 month of the last 36. Last cited Feb 2024. Most serious: Standard-level. The last 3 years, to Oct 27, 2026.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Nov | Dec | ||||||||||
| 2024 | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
| 2025 | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
| 2026 | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct |
Hover or focus a month to read it.
Hearth Record drew this from the dates and levels in the source’s own records.
Each deficiency, as cited
Rule titles as CMS’s inspectors cite them, set in sentence case.
CMS, QCOR hospice inspection reports. Released Oct 23, 2026. Updated quarterly.
Feb 15, 2024: reaccreditation inspection by The Joint Commission8 deficiencies
-
Content of plan of care (42 CFR 418.56(c)(1))
“Observed in Record Review. In 1 of 10 patient records reviewed, the plan of care did not include all interventions to manage pain and symptoms. In RRNHV#5, the patient was admitted to hospice with Parkinson’s Disease and Dysphagia. On a recent skilled nursing visit note the patient was also assessed with bilateral bruising to upper extremities and reddened area to coccyx. Interventions related to the patient’s dysphagia and alterations in skin/integumentary were not included in the hospice plan of care. This was reviewed and verified with the Clinical Manager. 
”
-
Content of plan of care (42 CFR 418.56(c)(4))
The inspectors’ words, 106 words
“Observed in Surveyor review but corrected onsite pending acceptable Evidence of Standards Compliance. In 1 of 10 patient records reviewed, the organization did not plan the patient’s care by ensuring the plan of care included all services needed for the palliation and management of the terminal illness and related conditions, including medications and treatment necessary to meet the patient’s needs. In RRHV#1, the hospice plan of care included an order for the skilled nurse to change the patient’s indwelling foley catheter prn. The documented order did not include the type, size, and balloon size of the catheter. This was reveiwed and verified with the Clinical Director.”
-
Control (42 CFR 418.60(b))
The inspectors’ words, 98 words
“Observed in Patient Home. In 2 of 3 home visits conducted, the organization did not implement its infection prevention and control activities to minimize, reduce, or eliminate the risk of infection. In RRHV#1 and RRHV#2, after cleaning care equipment (blood pressure cuff, temporal thermometer, pulse oximeter, and stethoscope), the skilled nurse placed the items in the same compartment of the field bag where other general supplies (a package of plastic trash bags used for barriers) were also stored. This was not in compliance with the organization’s bag technique policy/procedure and was reviewed and verified with the Clinical Director.”
-
Control (42 CFR 418.60(b)(2)(i))
The inspectors’ words, 97 words
“Observed in Infection Control System Tracer. The organization did not identify risks for acquiring and spreading infection based on its geographic location, community, and population served, as well as the care, treatment, and services it provided. During the Infection Control Session Tracer, it was noted the organization’s infection control policies and procedures outlined the process for an annual risk analysis to be completed/documented. Although clinical leaders verbalized identified risks and coordinated the program based on these risks, there was no Infection Control Risk Analysis/Assessment completed and documented. This was reviewed and verified with the Clinical Director. 
”
-
Hospice aide assignments and duties (42 CFR 418.76(g)(2)(ii))
“Observed in Record Review. In 1 of 10 patient records reviewed, the organization did not provide care, treatment, or services in accordance with the plan of care as required by law/regulation. In RRHV#3, the Hospice Aide indicated to the surveyor that a coloring hair rinse was applied to the patient’s hair weekly with shampooing. Upon record review, it was noted the haircare and shampoo was not included/documented on the aide plan of care. This was reviewed and verified with the Clinical Manager.”
-
Content (42 CFR 418.104(a)(7))
The inspectors’ words, 142 words
“Observed in Record Review. In 1 of 14 patient records reviewed, the record did not contain information related to the patient’s care, treatment, or services, including an updated and accurate list of medications. In RRHV#3, the patient’s hospice plan of care/medication profile included Tramadol Hydrochloride 50 mg one (1) oral tablet 3 times a day and another order for Tramadol 50mg oral 1 tablet 3 times a day prn. The actual order for the Tramadol was verified with the primary hospice physician and reconciled with the skilled nursing facility medication record by the Clinical Director. It was determined the current order was for Tramadol 50 mg oral tablet 2 times a day. There was no evidence/documentation that the patient’s medications had been reconciled and updated in the record by the hospice RN. This was reviewed and confirmed with the Clinical Director. 
”
-
Discharge or transfer of care (42 CFR 418.104(e)(2)(i))
“Observed in Record Review. In 2 of 2 patient records reviewed, the organization did not provide patient care, treatment, or service information to other providers when the patient was discharged or revoked the election of hospice care. In RRDC#1 and RRDC#2, there was no evidence that the organization provided the attending physician a copy of the Hospice Discharge Summary. This was reveiwed and verified with the QAPI Coordinator.”
-
Label dispose storage drugs (42 CFR 418.106(e)(2)(i)(A))
“Observed in Patient Home. In 3 of 3 home visits conducted, the organization did not safely manage returned medications. In RRHV#1, RRHV#2, and RRHV#3, a copy of the organization’s policies and procedures on management and disposal of controlled medications was not provided to the patient/caregiver. It was noted the hospice provided education to the patient and family on the use and disposal of controlled medications. This was reveiwed and verified with the Administrator.”
The one inspection in the last three years
| Date | Visit | What the record says |
|---|---|---|
| Feb 15, 2024 | Reaccreditation inspection by The Joint Commission | 8 deficiencies cited |
Is it certified?
- Medicare-certified hospice since Jan 24, 2012.
- Ownership: other.
- No For hospices, home health agencies, hospitals and dialysis facilities, CMS writes deficiencies at two levels. Standard is the usual one; condition-level is the more serious, when a problem is serious enough that the provider doesn’t meet a whole condition of taking part in Medicare. Source: CMS, State Operations Manual. deficiency or CMS’s most serious finding: the place’s failure to meet a rule caused, or was likely to cause, serious injury, harm, impairment or death to someone in its care. Source: CMS; 42 CFR 489.3. on record in the last three years.
CMS, Hospice General Information. Released Aug 26, 2026. Updated quarterly.
CMS, QCOR hospice inspection reports. Released Oct 23, 2026. Updated quarterly.
Has anything been proven against it?
- CMS doesn’t publish fines or other penalties for hospices, so none are shown.
- 0 deficiencies cited in the last three years came from inspections that included a complaint investigation.
CMS, QCOR hospice inspection reports. Released Oct 23, 2026. Updated quarterly.
Who does the caring?
- From Medicare claims (Jan 1, 2023 to Dec 31, 2024): 12.8 nurse care minutes per routine home care day, 8.1% of skilled nursing minutes at weekends and a visit near death for 97.4% of patients who died.
- Where its patients were cared for (Jan 1, 2024 to Dec 31, 2024): 38% at home, 30% in assisted living, 32% in a nursing facility.
CMS, Hospice Provider Data. Released Aug 26, 2026. Updated quarterly.
| Measure | This provider |
|---|---|
| Nurse care minutes per routine home care day | 12.8 min |
| Skilled nursing minutes at weekends | 8.1% |
| Visits near death | 97.4% of patients who died |
Who owns it?
- 8 owners or officers are people: Alexander Dout (owns 5% or more directly, 33.4%); Tony Wilkins (owns 5% or more directly, 33.3%); Samuel Hill (owns 5% or more directly, 33.3%); Tony Wilkins (corporate director); Alexander Dout (corporate director); David Bank (managing employee (under contract)); Samuel Hill (corporate director); Carrie Perry (managing employee (on the payroll)).
- No private-equity firm among the owners CMS lists.
- No real-estate investment trust among the owners CMS lists.
CMS, Hospice All Owners and Hospice Enrollments. Released Sep 29, 2026. Updated quarterly.
What do families say?
- CMS gives no family caregiver survey rating: “The number of cases is too small to report Star Ratings.”
- In CMS’s survey of family caregivers (Oct 1, 2023 to Sep 30, 2025): 82% rated it 9 or 10 out of 10, and 86% would definitely recommend it.
- CMS’s Hospice Care Index: 9 of 10 (Jan 1, 2023 to Dec 31, 2024).
- 90.51% of patients were assessed on all seven of CMS’s measures at the start of care (Oct 1, 2024 to Sep 30, 2025); 52.3% had visits from a nurse or social worker on at least 2 of their last 3 days (Jan 1, 2023 to Dec 31, 2024).
CMS, CAHPS Hospice Survey and Hospice Provider Data. Released Aug 26, 2026. Updated quarterly.
| Measure | Rating |
|---|---|
| Family caregiver survey ratingCMS star rating from its survey of patients’ family caregivers, 1 to 5 | Not rated |
| Hospice Care IndexCMS’s Hospice Care Index, 0 to 10 (higher is better): a point for each of ten measures from Medicare claims on which the hospice meets CMS’s threshold | 9 of 10 |
How does it compare nearby?
- Of the 10 hospices CMS’s data show serving patients in ZIP code 73644, where this hospice’s office is, the middle number of deficiencies cited in the last three years was 6; this one had 8.
CMS, Hospice ZIP Data. Released Aug 26, 2026. Updated quarterly.
CMS, QCOR hospice inspection reports. Released Oct 23, 2026. Updated quarterly.
| Place | Deficiencies, 3 years |
|---|---|
| Traditions Health of Elk City | 6 |
| Elk City Comforting Hands Hospice LLC This hospice | 8 |
| Acg Hospice III | 5 |
| Russell-Murray Hospice, Inc. | 13 |
| Good Shepherd Hospice, Inc. | 11 |
| A Path of Care Hospice V, LLC | 3 |
| Traditions Health of Woodward | Not given |
| Lifespring Hospice | 11 |
| Shepherd Home Health & Hospice, LLC | 1 |
| Acg Hospice II | 6 |
What the record doesn’t say
- CMS doesn’t publish fines or other penalties for hospices, so none are shown.
- Only complaints that led to a citation appear; complaints that didn’t aren’t published.
- CMS ended its Special Focus Program for hospices with serious problems on Feb 14, 2025, so no hospice is marked as one.
- Hospice quality measures have a gap from October 2025: CMS replaced its patient assessment then, and public results from the new one (HOPE) are expected around November 2027.
Sources
-
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, Hospice General Information (yc9t-dgbk).
Released Aug 26, 2026 and checked Oct 27, 2026. Updated quarterly. Public domain (U.S. Government work).
-
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, Hospice Provider Data (252m-zfp9).
Released Aug 26, 2026 and checked Oct 27, 2026. Updated quarterly. Public domain (U.S. Government work).
-
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, CAHPS Hospice Survey (gxki-hrr8).
Released Aug 26, 2026 and checked Oct 27, 2026. Updated quarterly. Public domain (U.S. Government work).
-
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, QCOR hospice inspection reports (Hospice Survey Reports - Oct 2021 through Sep 2026.xlsx).
Released Oct 23, 2026 and checked Oct 27, 2026. Updated quarterly. Public domain (U.S. Government work).
-
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, Hospice All Owners (e983965e-1603-4cb8-82b5-c40090e380d1).
Released Sep 29, 2026 and checked Oct 27, 2026. Updated quarterly. Public domain (U.S. Government work).
-
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, Hospice Enrollments (25704213-e833-4b8b-9dbc-58dd17149209).
Released Sep 29, 2026 and checked Oct 27, 2026. Updated quarterly. Public domain (U.S. Government work).
-
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, Hospice ZIP Data (95rg-2usp).
Released Aug 26, 2026 and checked Oct 27, 2026. Updated quarterly. Public domain (U.S. Government work).
If you believe something here is wrong, a correction starts with the agency whose record this copies: CMS. CMS’s own record is on Care Compare. If Hearth Record copied something wrongly, it will fix it and log the correction publicly, with its date: how corrections work.
This copy of the record was made on Oct 27, 2026.
From the hospice
The public record above comes first. Anything the hospice adds will appear here, below it, and say who wrote it.
Replies
None. Replies aren’t open yet. When they open, the hospice will be able to answer any finding for free, and the reply will show beside that finding, unedited and dated.
Paid listing
None. Paid listings aren’t open yet. When they open, anything paid for will say “Paid by the hospice”, and paying will never change a finding, a rating or the order of results.