Saw another reviewer mention a failed surgery with Keem and that "complications occur," as if this isn't what so often happens with Keem (I've met people who've known physical therapists who work with numerous butchered Keem patients at a time) - so I'm back to update my review. This is a placeholder until I type out another banger lambasting Keem for being a terrible surgeon. Keem told me my artificial disc migrated - in actuality, a team of Virginia Mason neurosurgeons investigated, and found the disc was installed in the wrong place (which took a while to diagnose, as Keem refused to release intra-operative imaging for close to a year). Entire steps of my surgery were skipped. And he lied to my face about it - and to the Polyclinic ... just before mysteriously leaving his cushy position as their sole spinal surgeon. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ Keem is a lazy, incompetent butcher. I still experience daily pain and take daily pain medications after what he did to me as a young athlete. He mysteriously vanished from the Polyclinic after multiple government investigations of my surgery, including a winning ruling by the Washington state AG's office because Keem was double-paid by both me and my insurance, and his office said I'd have to sue him directly to be reimbursed. He's corrupt, and a liar. After some time floating around, it appears he's been hired by Swedish. They should be ashamed of themselves - I reached out directly to share the results of my surgery. Clearly, Swedish doesn't care about the longevity of their patients, or keeping them safe, functional, and pain-free. Keep in mind that this man has a long and extensive history of "complicated" surgeries, as well as kickbacks into the millions from the manufacturer of the only artificial disc he installs. (They also cover fusion equipment, etc.) I could find no other surgeon who only uses equipment from one company ... let alone ones paid by them on the side. More corruption to the absolute core. More coming. I have other reviews for him in my profile, including one in which I caught him leaving himself a fake positive review. Don't be fooled by this slimy, unctuous guy who has a long history of leaving his patients immediately post-op to go get paid by Medtronic while they suffer through permanent and life-changing complications. Expect a PA to see you for your first post-op appointment (dangerous and insidious scope creep, going against all advice of the American Medical Association), and expect them to misread your imaging and gaslight you about your pain because they have no idea what they're talking about. This is an established pattern of Keem's. If Keem has 5,000 haters, I'm one of them. If Keem has 1 hater, it's me. If Keem has 0 haters, it's because his rotten surgery finally killed me Lmaoooo. If Shakespeare knew this guy, he'd call him an egg. read more

See all

In July, I had an anterior fusion surgery performed by Sean Keem. My surgery did not go as expected and there were complications that kept me in the hospital for 14 days as opposed to the 2 that was anticipated. I'm 52 and totally understand the complications and risks with this type of surgery. I felt what could go wrong went wrong. The problem with a lot of people is they do not understand that when something goes wrong, almost all of the time it has nothing to do with the surgeon performing the procedure. Things just happen. Dr. Keem has always been professional and straight forward with me as well as the staff that works around him. I knew the risks and accepted what happened as part of that but Dr. Keem is great. I'd go to him again (this was my second procedure with him...the first being 7 years ago). The staff at the surgery center was amazing. All of them were great compared to my previous visit. I'd like to give a huge shout out to all of those who cared for me but the one that stood out the most was Morgan. She seemed so much of a real person than a robotic nurse that i had experienced with my previous surgery. She was easy to talk to and seemed relatable to my life experiences. Again...all of the nursing staff was amazing this visit but Morgan stands out the most. Thanks again. read more

I'm 48-hours post-op on a hip resurface with Dr. James Pritchett, at Swedish Orthopedic Institute. Dr. Pritchett's reputation is undeniable, and my experience with him pre-op proved that a living legend can still be a caring, kind, and highly approachable person. My experience thus far supports my expectation that my long-term outcome will meet or exceed Dr. pritchett's stellar track record in the area of hip resurfacing. My experience with pre-op prep and communication with Dr. Pritchett's office staff and Swedish Hospital were also as straightforward, kind, and efficient as one could reasonably hope for within the time challenges of modern healthcare cost constraints. My experience during the 10.5 hours I was at the hospital for my outpatient surgery, were orchestrated in a way one rarely finds outside of a finely tuned orchestra or a formula-one racing team. Not too fast, but no time wasted. Every nurse, PA, anesthesiologist, cafeteria staff, and even housecleaning were beyond reproach in their kindness, willingness to answer questions, and willingness to provide explanations and set expectations for all that was occurring. The nurse at the recovery ward was especially helpful - great job!. I really cannot point to a single action, situation, or facility attribute that needs improvement. And I'm picky. My wife, however was not happy that she had to leave me alone at the hospital to find a pharmacy to fill prescriptions. As a side note, if you are considering hip replacement and you fit a relatively younger, more-active demographic, make sure you sufficiently explore the option of hip resurfacing without dismissing the option too quickly due to some bad press related to faulty devices that existed a decade ago. Most orthopedists will not offer this more-difficult-to-perform option, because the learning curve is believed to be "in the hundreds of cases" before a surgeon is fully proficient, and the CPT code insurance companies pay on is the same whether a resurface ( more difficult and costly to the surgeon and hospital) is performed, or a THR (total hip replacement) (less costly) is performed. Based on my significant research that led me to my own treatment selection, I believe it is likely that not as many youthful (less than 55-60yr) people suffering severe hip arthritis Appropriately consider this option and thus suffer for years as I have, as they delay their THR surgery due to fear of age-related challenges / revisions later in life with a total-hip replacement. Dr. Pritchett is one of the world's most experienced hip surgeons practicing today (6/2017), and he surely sets the example and expectation that the rest of the staff at Swedish Orthopedic Institute emulate. read more

God help you if you go there. Had shoulder arthroplasty. I recommend going to Woodland Park Zoo and consult a chimpanzee for post surgery pain management. They've no idea what they're doing, and when you tell them what's wrong they tell you're stupid. read more

I recently had Total Hip Replacement by Dr. Laura Matsen Ko, she was a wonderful Doctor. The clinic is organized, efficient, and comfortable. Dr. Matsen Ko is personable, highly qualified and young enough to help me feel that I was getting the best most current solution to my hip issue. The office help is kind and responsive. I want to mention Rihanna, who is Dr. Matsen Ko's assistant. She was totally available to me after and before surgery to answer questions and not hesitate to put me through to Dr. Matsen Ko if she deemed necessary. Fortunately, I am done with joint surgery but I do not hesitate to recommend Dr. Matsen Ko's office for your joint journey. read more

My being in need of a second shoulder replacement, took me to Dr. Daniel G. Schwartz from the Polyclinic who performed the operation at the Swedish Orthopedic Institute in Seattle. My second shoulder replacement has turned out to have such a better outcome than my first which was April 2021, even though both were with respected shoulder specialist & hospitals. Dr. Schwartz's approach was to have a more in-depth look into the condition of my shoulder & then to plan out ahead what would need to be done. He was able to give me that view & understanding early in my considerations which was a help for me in making a decision on who to go with & when. Since he uses the Swedish Orthopedic Institute to operate, I found out also how they compared to the other local hospital. The first surgery was done just at the beginning of Covid 19, so at that time the hospital was full staffed & I felt pampered. But due to how policies during Covid 19 has diminished all hospital staff, I can't hold that difference/lack against Swedish Orthopedic. One thing that took place at Swedish that did not happen at the previous hospital was their pain management process. I was discharged with a pain pump/non mechanical that lasted about 4-5 days. I think it was because of that & the hands & plan of Dr. Schwartz that my pain level was significantly lower over those first days than with the first surgery. Plus, I did not need to take the quantity of opioids that were necessary with prior surgery & was able to get off them all together sooner than before. If you need shoulder surgery, I can't recommend high enough to consider Dr. Daniel G. Schwartz who was with the Polyclinic in Seattle but does his surgeries at Swedish Orthopedic. He even called me at home after I was discharged that first day to see how I was doing, and that did not happen with my first surgery with a different local doctor. So, Thank You Dr. Schwartz & Swedish Orthopedic for making a surgery that I really did not want to go so well. My physical therapy is progressing well enough so at the post op visit with Dr. Schwartz he thought it was a reasonable goal for me to look at the possibility of going cross country skiing by February, 3 months after surgery. That is pretty remarkable considering I am a 71-year-old male, but I am overjoyed. Check out Dr. Schwartz for any shoulder surgeries you may need. I don't think you will be disappointed. read more

Having my first major surgery was a huge deal, very, very scary. I came to SOI for a joint seminar to acquaint myself with the facility and the procedure and I'm SO glad I did. After the seminar my stress level dropped about 40%. The facility is modern, simple and nicely decorated. Each member of the staff was professional and courteous. When surgery was finished I was wheeled to my private, spacious room where my partner was waiting. It was filled with light and very clean. As my stay wore on (3 days) the housekeeping grew a bit more lax, but the nursing staff are outstanding. I feel very lucky to have undergone my surgery at such an amazing place. Thanks everyone! read more

I've had a shoulder replacement by Dr Kirby and he is the best. Just had an appointment with Dr Mayeda about a hip and I received honest knowledgeable and straight forward opinion as to my problem and treatment- highly recommend read more

I was here 2 years ago after a massive surgery; had a horrible experience. This time was completely different. I liked the anesthesiologist (Craig Johnston) I had 2 years ago & requested but did not get him. I got Dr. Anthony Fan instead, who was equally wonderful - IV in on the first poke, paid attention to the pertinent bits of my medical history, took care of my pain when I needed it, provided excellent anesthesia and follow up. It turned out that we had a mutual person in common, which didn't hurt, either. Had a really bad first night. I was new to my surgeon's PA and my med orders were off; that was fixed the next morning. Nurses and aides did a very good job of keeping my whiteboard updated so I knew who was providing my care, checking on how I was doing & trying to keep my pain under control. My call light was always answered promptly. One thing new this stay was the shift change report, now done at my bedside so I heard what was being said. This was very helpful, as there were a couple of bits of incorrect information being passed along and a couple of missing ones that needed to be. I don't know who is responsible for the med orders for patients who come in on chronic medications, but mine were really messed up, resulting in my having very high blood pressure for 6+ hours before getting my (noon) doses at 9 PM. Several of the meds I normally take hadn't been ordered. Fortunately, I had brought a full list with me and my nurse was extremely helpful in working with the pharmacy to add what I wasn't getting and shift the timing of my normal meds to optimize their efficacy. Still went home with a sinus infection from being off my decongestant, but it could have been worse. OT and PT showed up when they were supposed to & worked on my goals. I would have appreciated more PT work, since that was pretty much my only opportunity to get up and walk, and I felt like I really needed more of a workout than I was getting, especially going home to many stairs. Respiratory therapy always showed up when they were supposed to & had what they needed. Tech who did my in-bed radiology was amazingly adept and caused me very little pain, really knew his stuff. Food service was easy to work with - they had a record of my allergies from last time and what I ordered appeared within an hour by an invariably pleasant delivery person. Kept getting way more than I could eat and shifted to the half portions, which worked much better. I don't know anyone who wants to be in a hospital, but this stay was *way* better than I had been expecting. Very nice job, Swedish! read more

They deserve 6 stars. Having a point of camparison 4 years ago at Emory, I can't say enough how much better this experience was. Excellent staff, excellent surgeon, and excellent nurses. Even the food was good. Seattle can be proud of what we have here: One of the best hospital systems in the country. I wouldn't send a family member anywhere else. read more

Dr. Sean Toomey, J.C. McDonald, Elise, Kelly, Idy, Jeanie, Shermaine, and Emily -- You put the "health" and "care" into the term "healthcare"! Nov. 14, 2016 Dr. Toomey gave me a new left hip joint, anterior approach, at Swedish Orthopedic. Dr. Toomey met with me and my husband ahead of time and answered my 17 questions with care and precision. He was personable and well-spoken. The pre-surgery workshop comprehensively answered any remaining questions and set my mind at ease about all the details of the surgery. They gave me a binder full of every kind of information, including a "sex after surgery" booklet, what kind of medical aids to get (crutches, walker, cane, bathtub seat, toilet seat raiser, etc.), and information about the robotic assistance that would be used in the operation. The facility is designed to help patients feel comfortable. The rooms are similar to quality hotel rooms in layout and decor, and my room had a nice view of Smith Tower and West Seattle, with a peekaboo glimpse of Puget Sound. There was a window-seat bed for my husband to stay with me overnight that was tolerably comfortable. My own bed was adjustable. We could control the room temperature. One of the staff heated up my husband's carry-in lunch for him in the staff microwave. The large photographs of nature in the halls are inspiring and beautiful. The food was fresh, a la carte, and tasty. I was surprised to get a large plate of perfectly steamed broccoli in a hospital. Staff were caring, efficient and very responsive when I hit the call button. The quality of the care and quantity of attention meant that I could be discharged after two nights. Some leave after one night, but I had a little problem with low blood pressure. I was given detailed instructions on how to care for myself after discharge, to make healing faster. At my three month checkup, Dr. Toomey and J.C. McDonald said the x-rays looked great. Four months later, I have healed up well and am able to walk up to 4 miles in a day, and am starting to ride my bike again. With help from my awesome physical therapist Tara at Seattle Pilates/Physical Therapy, I am looking forward to bike commuting to work and hiking in the mountains again. Thank you Dr. Toomey and all your staff! read more

I had ankle surgery this last week and Dr. Seibert and his assistant, Nicole were incredible through the whole process. Dr. Seibert was professional, communicative and transparent before and after surgery. I had a lot of questions and they were so open and prompt. Nicole was very empathetic, friendly, and responsive. I called at least 5 times with questions or requests after surgery and she answered or responded within a reasonable amount of time. I must've got lucky with my surgeon and his assistant, but in general, Swedish Ortho is very prompt and fast. I wasn't waiting longer than 5-10 minutes for the next doctor to come into the room. They ask you to show up 15 minutes early, with good reason. I got into my appointment a couple minutes ahead of schedule. read more

I'm glad others had a good experience here. I did not. While my surgery went well, I felt like I was going to die in this hospital. I had a respiratory infection that they did not diagnose for 4 days until my own primary care doctor visited. The infection caused my temperature to spike at 104, and I couldn't breathe. No one believed that I couldn't breathe, to the point of blaming me for this problem. The call button was ignored, and I heard other patients hollering out for help because no nurse answered for the first two nights. They only came on their appointed rounds. You should not understaff your hospital to the point where patients are screaming for help. They also released me with an infection in my incision. Since they did not arrange for in-home help, I did not have any way to see the incision in my spine. I nearly needed a second surgery to fix this. Stay away from this hospital. They're a bunch of incompetent idiots and you risk your life going there. If I could give this house of horrors a negative star, I would. read more

I had a total knee replacement done by Dr. James Crutcher at SOI two weeks ago. The pre-op and post-op care was outstanding. While it might have been nice to have the same nurses and aides every day, it was also interesting to deal with all the different health care pros who took take of me. My recovery has been astonishingly quick. I was released on the third day post op and I've been walking around my house without a walker or other aids for five or six days. And the pain is mostly gone. I highly recommend SOI and Dr. Crutcher for knee and hip replacements. They're the best! read more

So I needed to have the ole carpal release surgery, and since Dr Miyano has privileges at "SOI", I elected to come here. Everyone was very nice to me, and really took good care of my needs while I was there. The surgery was a short one, I was in and out, so I can't comment on their patient rooms. Though I did get to visit my friend who had a total knee replacement, the rooms are big, roomy and clean. Very nice. The OR holding area was nice and though there were several patients, you never felt crowded, or invading others space. Every thing they had to do was explained, even if you are not in the medical field, things are explained in simple terms. The facility is modern, welcoming and clean as well. I can see why folks elect to have their orthopedic surgery needs at the SOI. read more

Phenomenal staff! Super friendly,caring, amazing, thoughtful staff. They always do their best to make sure they go out of their way to do whatever it takes to make the patients and family comfortable and happy and safe. Highly recommend for hospital setting. read more

From admitting to discharge, 99% of the staff have been friendly, helpful and responsive. Most of the floor staff is new and very helpful. I was here years ago but much better this last visit. read more

They got me in last-minute for emergency back surgery. After a horrific day, I was admitted into a room and immediately felt at ease. My family lives far away, which was a huge source of anxiety. My nurse was professional, caring, and wonderful. She was the best- reduced a lot of my anxiety, advocated for me, and celebrated with me when I returned from surgery and was able to walk on my own. They also have delicious food! They were super flexible about visiting hours and were just great. I would drive the extra few miles if (god forbid) I went through this ordeal again. read more

I had a total hip replacement a few days ago by Dr. Crutcher, and I have to say this was the best hospital experience I've ever had. Everything is done efficiently, professionally and kindly. The rooms are very nice and spacious ... there's even room service any time you want it throughout the day. And the staff is focused on service -- a call for a nurse is answered within a few minutes (unlike other hospitals where it takes 30 minutes or more for a response.) read more

having full knee replacement performed on both sides by sean toomey was hands down the best decision my almost seventy year old mother has made in the past few decades. prior to the surgery, she had bone on bone contact in both knees with a crazy bit of bone spurs produced from living with it as long as she had. she was knocked kneed and walked with a limp, relying on pain killers and cortisone shots to dull the pain of what she had come to accept as just "getting old." post surgery, i have no words. both legs are completely straight, she stands and walks upright with no pain in knees (keep in mind she has also been faithful to every bit of the recommended physical therapy - at home immediately following each surgery, outpatient and still keeping up some degree of activity which includes exercises recommended by her therapist). she literally has a new lease on life. to dr. toomey - man...we can not thank you enough! you, bonney and the entirety of your staff have been cordial, patient, informative and overall damn fine human beings! you guys won my mother's trust and established a sense of comfort in going through the motions that let her worry less and rest assured that she was in good hands. thank you, seriously. this could not have gone any better. read more

I had a knee replacement done by Dr. Crutcher, and his capable staff, in 2002. The whole experience was so successful that discovering I need a hip replacement, I am returning to the care of Dr. Crutcher. Dr. Crutcher and his staff, are very caring and the hospital provided excellent care. My husband also had a hip replacement accomplished by Dr. Crutcher which was very successful and we both have great respect for him. I am looking forward to getting rid of the arthritic pain I am experiencing, just as I did with the knee replacement. read more

Fast appointment, friendly staff and easy to find parking at nearby garage. Came here for a shoulder injury, I was diagnosed quickly and they gave a very conservative recommendation for recovery. They were completely willing to discuss surgery should PT not alleviate my symptoms. Great experience. Saw Dr. Ko and he was very patient and easy to speak with, extremely knowledgeable. read more

Should you need a total knee replacement please consider Dr. Sean Toomey of OPA Ortho and Swedish Orthopedic Institute, Seattle: he's the best. Dr. Toomey performed my total knee replacement in November, 2016. I was walking the same day, went home the next day, and managed my three story house by myself (with the aid of stair railings). Within 2 weeks I was running around COSTCO and Christmas shopping downtown with no cane or other support. My flexibility is normal and I can now walk without a limp. You couldn't do better than select Dr. Toomey as your surgeon. As an aside, his staff is awesome and always available to answer questions and/or provide support. read more

I had a partial knee replacement procedure done by Dr. Toomey 2 days before Christmas. I cannot get over how great of an experience (for having a surgery) this turned out to be. I was hesitant about doing this as everyone I had talked to before the operation told me how much pain I would be in. As it turned out, I didn't experience much pain at all, and I did not use much pain medication at all (other than Tylenol). Dr. Toomey was very professional and genuinely caring. It has been 4 weeks and I am thrilled at my recovery. I cannot begin to say how great Dr. Toomey's staff treated me. Bonney went out of her way to get the surgery scheduled as soon as was possible and when I needed change my follow up appointment she was great. This was such a positive experience for me that I cannot begin to thank Dr. Toomey and his whole staff enough. read more