Dr. Scott Green, a plastic surgeon, attended his virtual hearing at the Sacramento Superior Court – conducted by Zoom – to challenge a traffic violation, wearing a uniform, gloves, mask and surgical cap.
“Are you available for evaluation?” a Sacramento Superior Court clerk asked Green during the process, which was broadcast live. “Does it look like you’re in an operating room right now?”
“I’m in an operating room,” he replied. “Yes, I’m available for testing. Go ahead”, ”
The sound of medical equipment beeping can be heard in the background, and Green is seen handling surgical tools in the live broadcast. He said another surgeon was nearby to assist with the surgery while he appeared in court.
But after he confirmed that he was operating on a patient, Judge Gary Link, the court commissioner, rescheduled the trial.
“So, unless I’m mistaken, I’m seeing a defendant who is in the middle of an operating room, looking like he is actively involved in providing services to a patient,” Link said during the virtual hearing. “I don’t feel comfortable for a patient’s well-being if you are in the process of operating that I would put to a test.”
In a statement to CNN, the California Medical Council said it was investigating the incident.
“The California Medical Council expects doctors to follow the standard of care when treating their patients,” the Council said in a statement. “The Council is aware of this incident and will review it, as it does with all complaints it receives.”
CNN contacted Green for comment, but received no response. His next hearing was scheduled for Thursday, Link said.