A surgeon at Baptist Health Paducah (Ky.) was arrested last week after having a melt down during surgery, according to the West Kentucky Star.
Ted Jefferson, DO, allegedly began using profane language in surgery on Tuesday and mentioned an assault rifle more than once.
While in surgery, Dr. Jefferson said, "I guess administration will be happy if I come in here with an assault rifle," according to a report by Paducah Police. After being confronted by hospital administration, Dr. Jefferson was given 30 minutes to cool off, but his behavior allegedly did not improve once he went back into surgery, according to the report.
Dr. Jefferson began demanding to know who in the surgery suite contacted administration about his behavior. He was once again confronted by hospital administration, and he allegedly made another reference to an assault rifle at that point.
Security escorted Dr. Jefferson out of the hospital Tuesday, and he was suspended for three days. The following morning at around 3:15 a.m. Paducah Police saw Dr. Jefferson in the hospital parking lot. During a conversation with two officers, Dr. Jefferson said he was upset over "unsanitary" medical supplies. He also told the officers, who were wearing body cameras, that the only way to "get anything done is to go home and get a pistol or rifle."
Dr. Jefferson was arrested on terroristic threatening and disorderly conduct charges, according to the report.
More articles on healthcare industry lawsuits:
Former physician sentenced to 2 years for illegally prescribing pain medication
Southcoast Health urges court to toss Steward's monopoly lawsuit
Ex-CEO claims retaliation for blowing the whistle on $10M in false Medicare charges