This database was last updated in July 2015 and is based on data from 2009 to 2013. It should only be used as a historical snapshot.
PALO ALTO COUNTY HOSPITAL
- 3201 1ST STREET, EMMETSBURG, IOWA, 50536, PHONE: 712-852-5500
How Surgeons at This Hospital Perform, by Procedure
An individual surgeon who performs this procedure at this hospital.
At least one surgeon performing this procedure has a high adjusted rate of complications.
Knee Replacement: No surgeons met the volume requirement of 20 for this procedure.
Hip Replacement: No surgeons met the volume requirement of 20 for this procedure.
Lumbar Spinal Fusion, Posterior Column and Approach: No surgeons met the volume requirement of 20 for this procedure.
Lumbar Spinal Fusion, Anterior Column, Posterior Approach: No surgeons met the volume requirement of 20 for this procedure.
Prostate Removal: No surgeons met the volume requirement of 20 for this procedure.
Cervical (Neck) Spinal Fusion: No surgeons met the volume requirement of 20 for this procedure.
How to Read a Surgeon's Chart
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How we calculated these rates: Guided by top researchers and doctors, ProPublica used Medicare data from 2009-2013 to identify cases where a patient died in the hospital or had to be readmitted within 30 days for a problem related to one of these elective procedures. We then calculated complication rates for surgeons, carefully accounting for differences in patient health, age and hospital quality. These rates are calculated using data from Medicare records, which do not include patients with private insurance or in another program like Medicaid. A surgeon’s rate spans all hospitals at which he or she operates and is not unique to a given hospital. Read our methodology »
Important: Some surgeons may no longer be operating at this hospital.
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Gallbladder Removal, Laparoscopic
Laparoscopic cholecystectomy (ICD-9-CM code 51.23)
Minimally invasive gallbladder removal. This is performed most commonly when gallstones are blocking the flow of bile. More information 
JEFFREY DIETZENBACH »
The following surgeons perform this procedure less than 20 times in Medicare, lower than our threshold for display:
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Prostate Resection
Other transurethral prostatectomy (ICD-9-CM code 60.29)
The resection and removal of a portion of the prostate through the urethra. This is most commonly done because of an enlarged prostate that may be restricting the flow of urine. More information
WALTER MENDENHALL »
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