Tulane Lakeside Hospital, including its emergency department, has reopened as of Sept. 21.
Tulane Health System temporarily closed the Metairie hospital and ER in the aftermath of Hurricane Ida, as most of Jefferson Parish, where the facility is located, was without reliable electricity and water services. After safely transferring patients to sister facilities, the hospital remained closed to allow for remediation and repairs following the storm.
“As our communities recovered from the impact of Hurricane Ida, the safety of our patients, their families and our colleagues was our paramount concern,” said Tom Patrias, Tulane Health System CEO. “We are grateful we had the resources and capacity to transfer our Tulane Lakeside patients to more comfortable facilities while power and water were being restored throughout the parish and at Tulane Lakeside.
“We are now grateful that Tulane Lakeside is back up and running and can continue serving the community.”
Tulane Health System provided extensive resources to colleagues, residents, faculty, and support staff throughout the storm and the ensuing weeks to ensure they could continue providing lifesaving care to patients. These resources included lodging assistance, complimentary meals, free fuel for vehicles and home generators, mobile trailer laundry services, and pop-up commissary stores.
Additionally, the HCA Healthcare Hope Fund, an employee-sponsored and employee-run financial assistance program, has distributed more than $800,000 in grants to colleagues in need since the hurricane struck the region.
“We know that we need to care for our colleagues so they are able to care for our patients,” Patrias said.