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Choose Chart Chart 1: Lumbar Fusion Procedures Chart 01A: Lumbar Fusion Procedures by SSA Chart 01B: Lumbar Disc Surgery w/o Fusion by SSA Chart 2: Lumbar Disc Surgery Chart 3: Back & Neck Procedures Chart 4: Total Knee Replacement Chart 5: Total Hip Replacement Chart 6: Hysterectomy Chart 7: Carotid Endarterectomy Chart 8: Adult Medical Conditions Chart 9: Cardiology Medicine Chart 10: Digestive Medicine Chart 11: Respiratory Medicine Chart 12: ACSC Discharges Chart 13: Mortality Rates 2001 Chart 14: Adverse Effects 2001 Chart 15: Wound Infections 2001 Chart 16: Pneumonia 2001 Chart 17: Urinary Infections 2001 Chart 18: Mechanical Complications 2001 Chart 19: Pulmonary Compromise 2001 Chart 20: OB Complications 2001 Chart 21: Mortality Rates 2002 Chart 22: Adverse Effects 2002 Chart 23: Wound Infections 2002 Chart 24: Pneumonia 2002 Chart 25: Urinary Infections 2002 Chart 26: Mechanical Complications 2002 Chart 27: Pulmonary Compromise 2002 Chart 28: OB Complications 2002 Chart 29: Medical Condiitons vs High Blood Pressure Chart 30: Medical Conditions vs High Cholesterol Chart 31: Medical Conditions vs Asthma Chart 32: Medical Conditions vs Diabetes Chart 33 Demo Quality Chart 34 Demo Variation

Chart 7
Admission Rates for Carotid Endarterectomy

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Chart 7 demonstrates a very wide variation in the usage of carotid endarterectomy. This is the procedure where a surgeon opens the large blood vessel in the front of the neck to clear out fatty deposits to help protect the brain from stroke. Experts have debated the need for this operation. There are accepted situations and many situations that are not fully accepted. This chart clearly demonstrates that one local area of Maine centered in northern Aroostook County uses this procedure  more than one and one half times the expected use. This concerns MQF and should concern any patient considering this procedure in northern Aroostook County.

For an overview of how to read our Medical Variation Charts, click here.

(Orange bars are statistically significant at the 95% confidence level or higher.)

AREA NAME	Significance	Ratio: OBS/EXP	% Difference	AREA NAME
CARIBOU-VAN BUREN	P<0.001	2.76	176%
FORT FAIRFIELD	P<0.001	2.42	142%
FORT KENT	P<0.001	2.00	100%
PRESQUE ISLE	P<0.001	1.93	93%
HOULTON	P<0.01	1.41	41%
LEWISTON	P<0.001	1.40	40%
MAINE TOTALS		1.00	0%
	P<0.001	0.84	-16%	PORTLAND
	P<0.01	0.75	-25%	BRUNSWICK
	P<0.001	0.72	-28%	BIDDEFORD
	P<0.001	0.64	-36%	ROCKLAND
	P<0.01	0.61	-39%	BELFAST
	P<0.001	0.59	-41%	SANFORD
	P<0.01	0.57	-43%	MACHIAS
	P<0.01	0.56	-44%	DAMARISCOTTA
	P<0.01	0.43	-57%	BOOTHBAY HARBOR

You can also review the full table for the underlying data that supports this chart.