SURGEON ARRESTED Ted Jefferson, DO, reportedly became enraged that supplies hadn't been properly sterilized.

A Kentucky orthopedic surgeon who repeatedly hinted that he might use an assault rifle to settle his differences with hospital administrators was arrested on charges of disorderly conduct and terroristic threats earlier this week, police say. You can view the police report here.

Ted Jefferson, DO, was arrested after a series of incidents that began with what a nurse at Baptist Health Paducah (Ky.) described as a "meltdown" during surgery in which he allegedly said, "I guess administration will be happy if I come in here with an assault rifle." Dr. Jefferson was reportedly upset that supplies hadn't been properly sterilized.

Police say the nurse expressed concern to hospital administrators, who confronted Dr. Jefferson and let him "cool down for around 30 minutes." But when he returned to surgery, he reportedly berated the staff and demanded to know who "the weasel" was who'd complained about him. Confronted by administrators again, he became belligerent and allegedly made another remark about an assault rifle and "not knowing when."

Hospital officials suspended him for 72 hours and had him escorted out by security personnel. They also asked police to increase their presence around the building, saying that Dr. Jefferson had a history of "getting upset."

Police found Dr. Jefferson in the hospital parking lot at 3:18 a.m. the next day. He allegedly told police that he'd returned to the hospital to write an e-mail to hospital administrators. But police arrested Dr. Jefferson. Police say they also heard Dr. Jefferson say, "the only way to get anything done is to go home and get a pistol or a rifle."

Calls to Dr. Jefferson, who was released on bond shortly after his arrest, and to the hospital were not returned. Rick Straub, Dr. Jefferson's lawyer, reportedly told a local TV reporter that Dr. Jefferson may sue the hospital. Mr. Straub's law firm tells Outpatient Surgery Magazine that Mr. Straub is unavailable to comment.

Jim Burger