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Since Hurricane Katrina, over-crowding in emergency rooms has been a problem for all hospitals in the New Orleans area. Emergency room pediatricians can not diagnose or treat an injury over the phone, so Ochsner Pediatric Emergency Medicine recommends speaking with your pediatrician first before going to the hospital.
Additionally, in order to decrease emergency room wait times, patient are now receiving x-rays or lab work upon arrival, and while they are waiting for test results, physicians can see other patients.
Interview: Dr. Brent Combs, Pediatrician