Friday, 29 March, 2024
HomeOn A Lighter NotePlastic surgeon appears in 'virtual court' from operating theatre

Plastic surgeon appears in 'virtual court' from operating theatre

A plastic surgeon has appeared in a live streamed video conference for a traffic violation trial in the US while operating.

The Sacramento Bee reports that Scott Green appeared for his trial at Sacramento Superior Court, held virtually because of the coronavirus pandemic, from an operating room. He was dressed in surgical scrubs with a patient undergoing a procedure just out of view; the beeps of medical machinery can be heard in the background.

“Hello, Mr Green? Hi. Are you available for trial?” asked a courtroom clerk. “It kind of looks like you’re in an operating room right now?” “I am, sir,” Green replied. “Yes, I’m in an operating room right now. Yes, I’m available for trial. Go right ahead.”

The clerk reminded Green the proceedings were being live streamed because traffic trials are required by law to be open to the public. Green said he understood. He appeared to continue working with his head down while waiting for court commissioner Gary Link to enter the chamber.

When Link appeared and saw the doctor on the screen, the judge hesitated to proceed out of concern for the welfare of the patient. “I have another surgeon right here who’s doing the surgery with me, so I can stand here and allow them to do the surgery also,” Green said.

However, the judge said he didn’t think it was appropriate to conduct trial under the circumstances and set a new date. The Medical Board of California said it would look into the incident.

 

[link url="https://www.sacbee.com/news/local/article249549993.html"]Full Sacramento Bee report (Open access)[/link]

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