Posted on 04/05/2006 2:42:21 PM PDT by SmithL
OAKLAND -- Citing a lack of evidence, a prosecutor announced today that he will not file charges against a neurosurgeon suspected of trying to perform surgery while intoxicated last month.
Alameda County Assistant District Attorney Tom Rogers said he could not sustain allegations that Dr. Federico Castro-Moure was combative and under the influence of alcohol during a March 6 altercation with sheriff's deputies at Alameda County Medical Center.
The surgeon allegedly screamed obscenities with breath "reeking of alcohol" and physically threatened hospital employees during a dispute in an operating room over whether to proceed with surgery on a patient.
Castro-Moure, 45, later attributed the odor on his breath to a glass of wine he'd consumed earlier in the day and to rice he said had fermented in his mouth.
Rogers declined further comment on his decision.
Castro-Moure's lawyer, Harry Traback, said his client is pleased and hopes to salvage his reputation.
(Excerpt) Read more at sfgate.com ...
ROTFLMAO
He still should have his privileges suspended, his license put in probationary status,and go into rehab, if for no other reason than his unprofessional behavior in the care giving environment. Physician behavior degradation is a major problem in hospitals, and must be countered
I used to work in a hospital and heard way too many stories of this type. While I hate the trial lawyers, it's a little hard to feel sorry for the doctors when they won't police their own any better than this.
It may be rice wine to you, but it's SAKI to me.
And do THEY have some stories.
The altercation and all was frightening enough but consider how an unesthesized patient lying on the operating table must have felt!
ER nurses know who the bad doctors are and they NEVER forget.
Next time I am stopped by a cop and he wonders if I have been drinking, I will use the old "wine fermenting in my mouth with rice" defense.
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