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.
SPENCER MUNICIPAL HOSPITAL
- 1200 1ST AVENUE EAST, SPENCER, IOWA, 51301, PHONE: 712-264-8300
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.
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
Hover over each word for details
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 
ALEXANDER PRUITT »
JASON HOUGH »
JAMES MCFADDEN »
The following surgeons perform this procedure less than 20 times in Medicare, lower than our threshold for display:
The following surgeons also perform procedures at a hospital that has misattributed surgeons’ identities, so we are not reporting their results:
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.
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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
ALEXANDER PRUITT »
JASON HOUGH »
The following surgeons perform this procedure less than 20 times in Medicare, lower than our threshold for display:
The following surgeons also perform procedures at a hospital that has misattributed surgeons’ identities, so we are not reporting their results:
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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 »
JEFFRE HELMINK »
The following surgeons perform this procedure less than 20 times in Medicare, lower than our threshold for display:
TOM THROCKMORTON, BRIAN LUEPKE, PATRICK SLATTERY, JASON KEONIN
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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
WILLIAM SHAFFER »
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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 »
The following surgeons perform this procedure less than 20 times in Medicare, lower than our threshold for display:
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