Tweeting has suddenly gone from social networking tool to surgical tool as doctors have begun to use Twitter in the operating room to provide real-time updates of procedures.  Don’t worry, they don’t have a scalpel in one hand and a iPhone in the other, collegues tweet while another surgeon operates.   While sharing so much information may make some people squemish, medical tweeting is a clever way to educate the public and demystify what happens during surgery, especially for those facing an upcoming operation.  And now that ER is off the air, people need somewhere to turn for face-paced medical drama.  Check out some of the action at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit, one of the first hospitals to make use of Twitter.

While the surgery tweets may fascinate some, others may get too nervous witnessing the step-by-step procedures.  Maybe there’s a reason there are doors between the operating room and the waiting room.

takepart by following along with the Henry Ford Hospital’s Twitter feed.