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.

MERCY HOSPITAL ST LOUIS

  • 615 NEW BALLAS ROAD, SAINT LOUIS, MISSOURI, 63141, PHONE: 314-569-6000

How Surgeons at This Hospital Perform, by Procedure

Key:

An individual surgeon who performs this procedure at this hospital.

Alert stop2 50396a7919fcffb9b54ceb393a298dce637a556b013844b32d7e939e9458f99d

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

Low
Medium
High Adjusted Rate of Complications
Test
Alert stop2 50396a7919fcffb9b54ceb393a298dce637a556b013844b32d7e939e9458f99d
Knee Replacement
Alert stop2 50396a7919fcffb9b54ceb393a298dce637a556b013844b32d7e939e9458f99d
Hip Replacement
Gallbladder Removal, Laparoscopic
Lumbar Spinal Fusion, Posterior Column
Lumbar Spinal Fusion, Anterior Column
Prostate Removal
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

JAMES STRICKLAND »
Performed Procedure 220 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

1.8%
GREGORY GALAKATOS »
Performed Procedure 108 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

1.9%
DANIEL MARTIN »
Performed Procedure 184 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%
JESSE SUSI »
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

2.0%
THOMAS FOX »
Performed Procedure 197 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

2.1%
KAREEM SOBKY »
Performed Procedure 54 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%
JEFFREY WHITING »
Performed Procedure 52 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%
THOMAS OTTO »
Performed Procedure 28 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%
CRAIG AUBUCHON »
Performed Procedure 46 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%
RYAN COUCHMAN »
Performed Procedure 105 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%
KENNETH ZEHNDER »
Performed Procedure 74 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%
ANDREW SPITZFADEN »
Performed Procedure 31 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%
DAVID IRVINE »
Performed Procedure 23 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%
MICHAEL BURNS »
Performed Procedure 104 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%
JOHN TESSIER »
Performed Procedure 195 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%
KEITH ODEGARD »
Performed Procedure 69 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%
JOSEPH WILLIAMS »
Performed Procedure 180 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

3.0%

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

HUSAM NAWAS, JOSHUA NADAUD

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

JAMES STRICKLAND »
Performed Procedure 69 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

2.3%
MICHAEL BURNS »
Performed Procedure 27 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

2.6%
KENNETH ZEHNDER »
Performed Procedure 24 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

2.6%
JEFFREY WHITING »
Performed Procedure 21 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

2.6%
JOHN TESSIER »
Performed Procedure 72 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%
JESSE SUSI »
Performed Procedure 69 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%
DANIEL MARTIN »
Performed Procedure 90 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%
GREGORY GALAKATOS »
Performed Procedure 31 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

3.1%
RYAN COUCHMAN »
Performed Procedure 46 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%
JOSEPH WILLIAMS »
Performed Procedure 58 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

3.4%
THOMAS OTTO »
Performed Procedure 68 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%

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

HUSAM NAWAS, DAVID IRVINE, JASON RABENOLD, ANDREW SPITZFADEN, CRAIG AUBUCHON, KAREEM SOBKY

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

HENRY ALTEPETER »
Performed Procedure 20 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

4.4%
DANIEL HAFENRICHTER »
Performed Procedure 37 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

4.7%

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

KATHRYN GALIE, LINDY HRUSKA, ANIL SRIVASTAVA, THAO MARQUEZ, PASCAL NYACHOWE, SEAN NIX, DAVID MEINERS, RYAN NEFF, BRYAN TROOP, ANN PEICK, GREGORY BRABBEE, THOMAS BLANKE, STANLEY SAKABU, SAMUEL MARQUEZ, JOSEPH HURLEY

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, 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

JAMES MERENDA »
Performed Procedure 84 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%
THOMAS FORGET »
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

3.8%
ROBERT BACKER »
Performed Procedure 22 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

4.1%
LUKASZ CURYLO »
Performed Procedure 46 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:

PETER YOON, KURT EICHHOLZ, FRANK MERENDA, JUSTIN SWEENEY, DIRK ALANDER, DONALD DEGRANGE

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

JAMES MERENDA »
Performed Procedure 76 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

3.1%
LUKASZ CURYLO »
Performed Procedure 104 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

3.9%
ROBERT BACKER »
Performed Procedure 39 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

3.9%
KURT EICHHOLZ »
Performed Procedure 27 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

4.1%
PETER YOON »
Performed Procedure 26 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

4.1%

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

TANYA QUINN, THOMAS FORGET, JUSTIN SWEENEY, DIRK ALANDER, DONALD DEGRANGE

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

LUIS ANGLO »
Performed Procedure 93 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%
FREDERICK WALTERS »
Performed Procedure 26 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%
SALIM HAWATMEH »
Performed Procedure 20 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

2.6%
SAMEER SIDDIQUI »
Performed Procedure 20 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

3.0%

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

LEONARD GAUM, JAMES LOVINGGOOD, SUNIL APTE, STEVEN BIGG, KENT ADKINS

Compare to other nearby hospitals performing this procedure »

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

ROBERT BACKER »
Performed Procedure 21 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

1.6%

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

PETER YOON, KURT EICHHOLZ, TANYA QUINN, LUKASZ CURYLO, THOMAS FORGET, JUSTIN SWEENEY, DONALD DEGRANGE, JAMES COYLE

Compare to other nearby hospitals performing this procedure »