A plastic surgeon determined not to miss his court hearing appeared in his virtual trial with a patient on the operating table.
The Medical Board of California is now investigating Sacramento doctor Scott Green who appeared in the Sacramento Superior Court videoconference for a traffic violation on Thursday from the operating room. While the patient was out of view, the doctor can be seen dressed in surgical scrubs, and the sounds of medical machinery are heard in the background.
A courtroom clerk noticed the environment surrounding Green and pressed about his whereabouts.
“Hello, Mr. Green? Hi. Are you available for trial? It kind of looks like you’re in an operating room right now?”
Green assured the court that he was available to proceed with his hearing, replying, “Yes, I’m in an operating room right now. Yes, I’m available for trial. Go right ahead.”
The doctor had one last opportunity to back out of the trial once the clerk reminded him that the proceedings were being live-streamed as a form of public record. However, Green said that he understood and gave the go-ahead.
Once Court Commissioner Gary Link entered the chamber, he was quickly alarmed and hesitated to proceed with the hearing, visibly concerned for the patient.
Sensing some hesitation, Green assured the court that another surgeon was performing the operation with him and could tend to the patient while Green attended the trial. Link decided to postpone the court date, citing concern for the patient’s well-being.
The Medical Board of California said it “expects physicians to follow the standard of care when treating their patients.”
