Tulane University Hospital & Clinic

My husband and I had a horrible experience at the Tulane Hospital Emergency Room on Thursday, February 30. We arrive mid-morning, and the waiting areas were already full. One man, before us in line, complained of having already waited more than 12 hours, and the surly, insolent receptionist replied “There are people who have been waiting longer than you.” That was neither helpful nor appropriate. My husband, a 89 year old retired MD/PHD spent his entire career at Harvard and Washington University Medical Schools. He is well acquainted with University Emergency Rooms! I took him there because, I assumed incorrectly, that Tulane would have the best such facility around. Sadly I was wrong! The waiting areas were almost full - mostly with poor, uninsured people who had nowhere else to go. NONE were wearing masks, and many were sneezing, bleeding, vomiting or dizzy. My 89 year old husband was having trouble breathing. There were two receptionists working that day - one was rude and intentionally sadistic, the other (a compassionate grey haired woman) gave me your address. After waiting for 6 1/2 hours without being seen, we went straight to the airport and returned home, where he was seen almost immediately at the “second rate” hospital. We are familiar with academic hospitals and know this is NOT GOOD MEDICINE! You need to better train your reception staff AND teach them to refer patients to other facilities when yours is over-crowded. THAT WOULD HAVE BEEN THE PRACTICE OF GOOD MEDICINE!