Q: Is this safe for the patient? Shouldn't the surgeon be focusing on the surgery?
A: The patient is always the focus of the operating room. The physician twittering the surgery is an additional physician brought into the OR with the express purpose of twittering. The surgeon performing the procedure remains focused on the case at hand and isn't going between the computer and the patient.

Q: How is this sterile?
A: The computer used for the Twittering is kept outside of the sterile field. Also, the physician twittering isn't part of the team that is operating on the patient.

Q: What about privacy? Does the patient know this is happening?
A: The patient is fully aware that the procedure will be twittered and consent is obtained prior to the procedure. We would never do this without asking and receiving permission from the patient. Also, we don't reveal personal information about the patient.