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.

CATAWBA VALLEY MEDICAL CENTER

  • 810 FAIRGROVE CHURCH RD, HICKORY, NORTH CAROLINA, 28602, PHONE: 828-326-3809

How Surgeons at This Hospital Perform, by Procedure

Key:

An individual surgeon who performs this procedure at this hospital.

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At least one surgeon performing this procedure has a high adjusted rate of complications.

Low
Medium
High Adjusted Rate of Complications
Test
Knee Replacement
Hip Replacement
Gallbladder Removal, Laparoscopic
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Lumbar Spinal Fusion, Posterior Column
Lumbar Spinal Fusion, Anterior Column
Prostate Removal
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Cervical (Neck) Spinal Fusion

Prostate Resection: No surgeons met the volume requirement of 20 for this procedure.

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.

Hover over underlined items to see details.

Knee Replacement

Total knee replacement (ICD-9-CM code 81.54)

Replace diseased knee joint with an artificial knee. The most common reason for a knee replacement is osteoarthritis, which is a breakdown of the cartilage in the joint. More information External link 52be2b4367cfb6db1164bdeed0171197ab10172e55a8db3542a9c308908df2ba

ROBERT LILJEBERG »
Performed Procedure 176 times
Complications 1-10
Raw complication rate Redacted
How to read the Adjusted Complication Rate | Learn more »
Adjusted Complication Rate
Low
Medium
High Adjusted Rate of Complications

Surgeon's Rate

95% Conf. Interval

1.7%
JEFFREY KEVERLINE »
Performed Procedure 120 times
Complications 0
Raw complication rate 0*
How to read the Adjusted Complication Rate | Learn more »
Adjusted Complication Rate
Low
Medium
High Adjusted Rate of Complications

Surgeon's Rate

95% Conf. Interval

1.7%
STEPHEN SLADICKA »
Performed Procedure 55 times
Complications 0
Raw complication rate 0*
How to read the Adjusted Complication Rate | Learn more »
Adjusted Complication Rate
Low
Medium
High Adjusted Rate of Complications

Surgeon's Rate

95% Conf. Interval

1.9%
DONALD CAMPBELL »
Performed Procedure 54 times
Complications 0
Raw complication rate 0*
How to read the Adjusted Complication Rate | Learn more »
Adjusted Complication Rate
Low
Medium
High Adjusted Rate of Complications

Surgeon's Rate

95% Conf. Interval

1.9%
JASON NORCROSS »
Performed Procedure 425 times
Complications 1-10
Raw complication rate Redacted
How to read the Adjusted Complication Rate | Learn more »
Adjusted Complication Rate
Low
Medium
High Adjusted Rate of Complications

Surgeon's Rate

95% Conf. Interval

2.0%
PETER HURLEY »
Performed Procedure 87 times
Complications 1-10
Raw complication rate Redacted
How to read the Adjusted Complication Rate | Learn more »
Adjusted Complication Rate
Low
Medium
High Adjusted Rate of Complications

Surgeon's Rate

95% Conf. Interval

2.3%
EDWIN PEAK »
Performed Procedure 152 times
Complications 1-10
Raw complication rate Redacted
How to read the Adjusted Complication Rate | Learn more »
Adjusted Complication Rate
Low
Medium
High Adjusted Rate of Complications

Surgeon's Rate

95% Conf. Interval

2.4%
JOHN DEPERCZEL »
Performed Procedure 42 times
Complications 1-10
Raw complication rate Redacted
How to read the Adjusted Complication Rate | Learn more »
Adjusted Complication Rate
Low
Medium
High Adjusted Rate of Complications

Surgeon's Rate

95% Conf. Interval

2.6%
BRIAN KRENZEL »
Performed Procedure 147 times
Complications 1-10
Raw complication rate Redacted
How to read the Adjusted Complication Rate | Learn more »
Adjusted Complication Rate
Low
Medium
High Adjusted Rate of Complications

Surgeon's Rate

95% Conf. Interval

2.9%

The following surgeons perform this procedure less than 20 times in Medicare, lower than our threshold for display:

EMORY MCDOUGAL, HEBER WINFIELD

Hospital Misattributions:

This hospital also billed Medicare for fewer than 11 cases of this procedure that were attributed to non-surgeons. Because the surgeon’s identity is uncertain, we do not report them. Of these cases, 0 resulted in complications.

Compare to other nearby hospitals performing this procedure »

Hip Replacement

Total hip replacement (ICD-9-CM code 81.51)

Replace diseased hip joint with an artificial hip joint. The most common reason for a hip replacement is osteoarthritis, which is a breakdown of the cartilage in the joint. More information External link 52be2b4367cfb6db1164bdeed0171197ab10172e55a8db3542a9c308908df2ba

JASON NORCROSS »
Performed Procedure 181 times
Complications 1-10
Raw complication rate Redacted
How to read the Adjusted Complication Rate | Learn more »
Adjusted Complication Rate
Low
Medium
High Adjusted Rate of Complications

Surgeon's Rate

95% Conf. Interval

2.2%
EDWIN PEAK »
Performed Procedure 58 times
Complications 0
Raw complication rate 0*
How to read the Adjusted Complication Rate | Learn more »
Adjusted Complication Rate
Low
Medium
High Adjusted Rate of Complications

Surgeon's Rate

95% Conf. Interval

2.4%
DONALD CAMPBELL »
Performed Procedure 46 times
Complications 0
Raw complication rate 0*
How to read the Adjusted Complication Rate | Learn more »
Adjusted Complication Rate
Low
Medium
High Adjusted Rate of Complications

Surgeon's Rate

95% Conf. Interval

2.4%
ROBERT LILJEBERG »
Performed Procedure 53 times
Complications 1-10
Raw complication rate Redacted
How to read the Adjusted Complication Rate | Learn more »
Adjusted Complication Rate
Low
Medium
High Adjusted Rate of Complications

Surgeon's Rate

95% Conf. Interval

2.7%
JEFFREY KEVERLINE »
Performed Procedure 32 times
Complications 1-10
Raw complication rate Redacted
How to read the Adjusted Complication Rate | Learn more »
Adjusted Complication Rate
Low
Medium
High Adjusted Rate of Complications

Surgeon's Rate

95% Conf. Interval

2.8%
BRIAN KRENZEL »
Performed Procedure 117 times
Complications 1-10
Raw complication rate Redacted
How to read the Adjusted Complication Rate | Learn more »
Adjusted Complication Rate
Low
Medium
High Adjusted Rate of Complications

Surgeon's Rate

95% Conf. Interval

3.3%

The following surgeons perform this procedure less than 20 times in Medicare, lower than our threshold for display:

HEBER WINFIELD, JOHN DEPERCZEL

Compare to other nearby hospitals performing this procedure »

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 External link 52be2b4367cfb6db1164bdeed0171197ab10172e55a8db3542a9c308908df2ba

JONATHAN HATA »
Performed Procedure 25 times
Complications 1-10
Raw complication rate Redacted
How to read the Adjusted Complication Rate | Learn more »
Adjusted Complication Rate
Low
Medium
High Adjusted Rate of Complications

Surgeon's Rate

95% Conf. Interval

4.3%
RONALD LOCKE »
Performed Procedure 36 times
Complications 1-10
Raw complication rate Redacted
How to read the Adjusted Complication Rate | Learn more »
Adjusted Complication Rate
Low
Medium
High Adjusted Rate of Complications

Surgeon's Rate

95% Conf. Interval

4.8%

The following surgeons perform this procedure less than 20 times in Medicare, lower than our threshold for display:

SUSAN PABST, DWIGHT FITZGERALD, KENNETH PARISH, LELAND COOK, EMORY MCDOUGAL, PETER BRADSHAW, AARON THOMPSON, BRYAN MCCLUER, MONTGOMERY COX, CHARLES KIELL

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Lumbar Spinal Fusion, Posterior Column and Approach

Fusing two or more vertebrae in the lower back; performed on the back of the spine, incision in the back (ICD-9-CM code 81.07)

The fusing of two or more vertebrae in the lower back, performed on the back portion of the spine. One of the most common reasons is the narrowing of the space between the vertebrae, which puts pressure on the spinal cord and nerves, causing pain. It can also be done because of disc degeneration or a condition where one bone in the back slides forward over the bone below it. More information External link 52be2b4367cfb6db1164bdeed0171197ab10172e55a8db3542a9c308908df2ba

JEFFREY KNAPP »
Performed Procedure 50 times
Complications 1-10
Raw complication rate Redacted
How to read the Adjusted Complication Rate | Learn more »
Adjusted Complication Rate
Low
Medium
High Adjusted Rate of Complications

Surgeon's Rate

95% Conf. Interval

3.5%
ALFRED GEISSELE »
Performed Procedure 33 times
Complications 1-10
Raw complication rate Redacted
How to read the Adjusted Complication Rate | Learn more »
Adjusted Complication Rate
Low
Medium
High Adjusted Rate of Complications

Surgeon's Rate

95% Conf. Interval

3.8%
RALPH MAXY »
Performed Procedure 30 times
Complications 1-10
Raw complication rate Redacted
How to read the Adjusted Complication Rate | Learn more »
Adjusted Complication Rate
Low
Medium
High Adjusted Rate of Complications

Surgeon's Rate

95% Conf. Interval

5.3%

The following surgeons perform this procedure less than 20 times in Medicare, lower than our threshold for display:

PETER MILLER, SCOTT MCCLOSKEY

Hospital Misattributions:

This hospital also billed Medicare for fewer than 11 cases of this procedure that were attributed to non-surgeons. Because the surgeon’s identity is uncertain, we do not report them. Of these cases, 0 resulted in complications.

Compare to other nearby hospitals performing this procedure »

Lumbar Spinal Fusion, Anterior Column, Posterior Approach

Fusing two or more vertebrae in the lower back; performed on the front of the spine, incision in the back (ICD-9-CM code 81.08)

The fusing of two or more vertebrae in the lower back, performed on the front portion of the spine. One of the most common reasons is the narrowing of the space between the vertebrae, which puts pressure on the spinal cord and nerves, causing pain. It can also be done because of disc degeneration or a condition where one bone in the back slides forward over the bone below it. More information External link 52be2b4367cfb6db1164bdeed0171197ab10172e55a8db3542a9c308908df2ba

JEFFREY KNAPP »
Performed Procedure 45 times
Complications 1-10
Raw complication rate Redacted
How to read the Adjusted Complication Rate | Learn more »
Adjusted Complication Rate
Low
Medium
High Adjusted Rate of Complications

Surgeon's Rate

95% Conf. Interval

3.8%
RALPH MAXY »
Performed Procedure 56 times
Complications 1-10
Raw complication rate Redacted
How to read the Adjusted Complication Rate | Learn more »
Adjusted Complication Rate
Low
Medium
High Adjusted Rate of Complications

Surgeon's Rate

95% Conf. Interval

4.0%
ALFRED GEISSELE »
Performed Procedure 62 times
Complications 1-10
Raw complication rate Redacted
How to read the Adjusted Complication Rate | Learn more »
Adjusted Complication Rate
Low
Medium
High Adjusted Rate of Complications

Surgeon's Rate

95% Conf. Interval

4.3%

The following surgeons perform this procedure less than 20 times in Medicare, lower than our threshold for display:

PETER MILLER, SCOTT MCCLOSKEY

Hospital Misattributions:

This hospital also billed Medicare for fewer than 11 cases of this procedure that were attributed to non-surgeons. Because the surgeon’s identity is uncertain, we do not report them. Of these cases, 0 resulted in complications.

Compare to other nearby hospitals performing this procedure »

Prostate Removal

Radical prostatectomy (ICD-9-CM code 60.5)

The removal of the entire prostate gland via the open or laparoscopic or robotic method. Usually performed to treat prostate cancer. More information External link 52be2b4367cfb6db1164bdeed0171197ab10172e55a8db3542a9c308908df2ba

EDWARD GERRARD »
Performed Procedure 31 times
Complications 0
Raw complication rate 0*
How to read the Adjusted Complication Rate | Learn more »
Adjusted Complication Rate
Low
Medium
High Adjusted Rate of Complications

Surgeon's Rate

95% Conf. Interval

2.5%

The following surgeons perform this procedure less than 20 times in Medicare, lower than our threshold for display:

MATTHEW CREIGHTON, DOUGLAS ELLER

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Cervical (Neck) Spinal Fusion

Other cervical fusion of the anterior column, anterior technique (ICD-9-CM code 81.02)

The fusing of two or more vertebrae of the neck, using orthopedic devices to hold them in place. Age-related breakdown or displacement of the spinal discs in the neck. More information External link 52be2b4367cfb6db1164bdeed0171197ab10172e55a8db3542a9c308908df2ba

ALFRED GEISSELE »
Performed Procedure 24 times
Complications 1-10
Raw complication rate Redacted
How to read the Adjusted Complication Rate | Learn more »
Adjusted Complication Rate
Low
Medium
High Adjusted Rate of Complications

Surgeon's Rate

95% Conf. Interval

2.7%

The following surgeons perform this procedure less than 20 times in Medicare, lower than our threshold for display:

PRESTON MILLER, PETER MILLER, RALPH MAXY, SCOTT MCCLOSKEY

Compare to other nearby hospitals performing this procedure »