A 47-year-old Seattle anesthesiologist just got his license suspended for alleged offenses including sexts sent during surgery and at least one raunchy work selfie. He “compromised patient safety due to his preoccupation with sexual matters while he was on hospital duty,” the state’s Medical Quality Assurance Commission has accused.
The Washington Post reports that the Washington state Department of Health released its accusations Friday. In addition to allegedly sending dick pics while wearing his scrubs and hospital badge, they say the doc sent 250 sexts while on duty. For instance:
During a cardiac probe insertion procedure, he allegedly exchanged 26 text messages “including explicit sexual comments,” according to the official statement of charges.
During a stomach surgery, he reportedly exchanged 45 texts “with sexual innuendo” in less than an hour and a half. And he’s accused of exchanging 18 “with sexual innuendo” during a Cesarean — in one of which, he texted: “I’m hella busy with C sections.”
A “cardiac probe insertion.” Come on, dude.
Now, it’s not like he’s the first person to sext on the clock. And anyone who’s ever watched a medical drama knows the operating room isn’t all business, all the time. I’m sure there’s plenty of chit-chat during long procedures. But no matter how sharp your multitasking skills, someone else’s surgery is not the time to be preoccupied with your own dick.
Other accusations are maybe even more alarming:
He is also accused of looking at private medical records for his own sexual gratification, having sexual rendezvous at work and issuing at least 29 unauthorized prescriptions.
Oh, and the cherry on top: “During the investigation, it was found that Zilberstein made disparaging and racist remarks against a patient.” Now he can’t practice medicine in Washington until the charges are dealt with; he’s got 20 days to respond.
Don’t take medical ethics lessons from Grey’s Anatomy, kids: If you want to be a doctor, leave your libido at the hospital door.
Photo via Yevhen Vitte/Shutterstock.