Smdc Medical Center Dba Essentia Health-Duluth
Duluth, MN · Medicare-certified inpatient rehabilitation facility (CCN 24T019)
- Patients discharged to the community (return home): No Different
- Readmissions within 30 days of discharge: No Different
- Readmissions during the rehab stay: No Different
- Catheter-associated urinary tract infections: No Different
- C. difficile (C. diff) infections: Better
Ownership: Non-profit · Phone: (218) 786-5980 · Verify on Medicare Care Compare ↗
CMS rates Essentia Health-Duluth's discharge-to-community rate as no different than the national rate, and it is better than the national benchmark on 1 of 5 reported measures, with none rated worse.
Patients at Essentia Health-Duluth are discharged to the community at a rate no different than the national average, and readmission rates after discharge are also no different than the national rate.
Essentia Health-Duluth is a Medicare-certified, non-profit inpatient rehabilitation facility in Duluth, Minnesota, providing intensive therapy to help patients regain function after a stroke, surgery, or serious injury before returning home.
About this facility
SMDC Medical Center dba Essentia Health-Duluth is a Medicare-certified inpatient rehabilitation facility (IRF) located in Duluth, St. Louis County, Minnesota. It has been Medicare-certified since January 1, 1984, and operates as a non-profit organization. Inpatient rehabilitation facilities provide intensive, hospital-level therapy — often several hours a day of physical, occupational, and speech therapy — to help patients regain strength and independence after events such as a stroke, major surgery, or serious injury, before returning home. This differs from a nursing home, which typically offers lower-intensity, longer-term custodial care rather than intensive daily rehabilitation.
According to CMS Care Compare data, this facility's rate of discharging patients back to the community is no different than the national rate. Its rate of potentially preventable readmissions, both during the rehab stay and after discharge, is also no different than the national rate. On healthcare-associated infections, the facility's catheter-associated urinary tract infection rate is no different than the national benchmark, while its C. diff infection rate is better than the national benchmark.
Overall, CMS rates this facility better than the national benchmark on 1 of 5 reported measures, with no measures worse than the national rate. This suggests a generally typical performance profile compared with other IRFs nationally, with a notable strength in reducing C. diff infections. Families should review the full, current data on CMS Care Compare, as figures are periodically updated.
Questions patients and families ask
What is an inpatient rehabilitation facility, and how is it different from a nursing home?
An inpatient rehabilitation facility provides intensive, hospital-level therapy (often several hours daily) to help patients regain function after a stroke, surgery, or injury, whereas a nursing home generally provides lower-intensity, longer-term custodial care.
How often do patients at this facility recover enough to return home?
CMS reports the facility's discharge-to-community rate as no different than the national rate.
How does this facility compare to national rates on readmissions?
Both its readmission-during-stay and readmission-after-discharge rates are reported as no different than the national rate.
How does this facility compare on healthcare-associated infections?
Its catheter-associated urinary tract infection rate is no different than the national benchmark, and its C. diff infection rate is better than the national benchmark.
Does Medicare cover care at this facility?
Yes, this facility has been Medicare-certified since January 1, 1984.
Who owns this facility?
It is operated as a non-profit organization.
How long has this facility been Medicare-certified?
It has been Medicare-certified since January 1, 1984.
What conditions does inpatient rehabilitation treat?
This information is not included in the CMS data provided; please contact the facility at (218) 786-5980 or check Medicare Care Compare for details.
How is this facility's overall quality picture on CMS measures?
CMS rates it better than the national benchmark on 1 of 5 reported measures, with 0 measures rated worse.
How do I verify this facility's current record on Medicare Care Compare?
You can view the latest data at https://www.medicare.gov/care-compare/details/inpatient-rehabilitation-facility/24T019?state=MN.
What should I ask when choosing an inpatient rehab facility?
Consider asking about discharge outcomes, readmission rates, and infection prevention, and confirm current details directly with the facility at (218) 786-5980.
How do I arrange a transfer to this facility from the hospital?
Transfer arrangements are not part of the CMS data provided; contact the facility directly at (218) 786-5980 for admission details.
Data: CMS Care Compare (Aug2026 refresh). Outcome comparisons are CMS's published measures relative to the national rate. Verify current details with the facility and Medicare before making care decisions.