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Sacramento ICU Doctor's License Suspended For Practicing Drunk

SACRAMENTO (CBS13) - A Sacramento doctor is accused of showing up to work and treating patients drunk.

This doctor was in charge of life or death decisions in the hospital, treating patients in intensive care.

READ: The Medical Board of California's Complaint

The Medical Board of California says not only was he drunk but he admits to having a drinking problem going back to college.

Sacramento Dr. Jude Waterbury was not at home in the pocket area when CBS13 stopped by. According to his wife, he was focused on alcohol, just not drinking it.

Mrs. Waterbury said that he was at and Alcoholics Anonymous meeting.

"He goes every day," said Mrs. Waterbury.

The medical board suspended the internist after allegations that he put patients' lives at risk by practicing in the ICU while he was drunk.

While on call at Methodist Hospital, the report says a nurse noticed the doctor "poke the patient several times and was unsuccessful in placing the central line."

Waterbury then "uttered profanities" turned to "another doctor and said its 'your turn.' " And added, "he had to get the central line in, or quote 'I'll hit you.' "

These are unsettling accusations for the doctor's patients.

"I had total confidence in him," said a former patient. And now? "No."

When a nurse questioned Waterbury's medication order, the report says the doctor replied "if we mess her up, we'll incubate her."

And Waterbury allegedly "had a bottle of vodka in his car and drank from it prior to starting work as the doctor on call in the ICU. At one point during the evening he returned to his car and drank more vodka."

His is office is now closed and Waterbury's future is now in question.

"He should lose his license. Definitely, when you're treating patients it could be your mother, daughter in there, and if he's drunk, he could kill them," said one nurse.

Waterbury currently is not facing any criminal charges.

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