North Oaks Medical Ctr in Hammond, LA

Pros

• The physicians, nurses, and staff did a superb job at North Oaks.
• The doctors, nurses, and staff have been the most professional and pleasant the patient has experienced.
• The optometry department is excellent, with Dr. Smith and the staff highly regarded.
• The trauma team was thorough, professional, and highly capable.
• The staff were incredibly patient and understanding, going above and beyond.
• The care team made the stay feel like a home away from home.
• The bathrooms are clean and the staff are friendly and helpful.
• Dr. James Murray is an exceptional interventional radiologist, delivering professional and compassionate care.
• The cardiology center's team is friendly and helpful, including Deidera and Dr. Abi Rafeh.
• Savannah at the front desk is compassionate and makes check-in a breeze.
• North Oaks provided life-changing care, with on-point doctors and a dedicated team.
• The ER staff were kind and helpful during emergencies, making difficult times more manageable.

Cons

• The hospital doesn't go above and beyond for its patients.
• The reviewer claims a family member was moved to an unrecorded old section and left to die alone, calling it the worst experience of their life.
• The urgent care and ICU nurses are rude and have no manners.
• The ER wait times are insane, with patients waiting hours without care.
• The hospital treats people of color as second-rate citizens and displays classism.
• The facility is dirty and unsanitary, with blood in the waiting area and mildew or mold in the vents.
• The hospital is dangerous and unqualified to handle medical emergencies.
• Families are told loved ones are okay by phone when they have actually died, causing grave distress.
• Administrative and communication issues are persistent: misrouted appointments, ignored calls, and incorrect charges.

Review

North Oaks Medical Center in Hammond, LA is best suited for families facing acute medical emergencies where rapid access to high-skill providers is available and an active advocate can guide the care journey. The facility offers notable strength in trauma response and certain surgical lanes, with clinicians who can deliver decisive interventions when time is critical. That said, the experience is highly variable and highly dependent on which team happens to be on duty. For chronic disease management, routine admissions, or comfort-focused stays, this center is not the most dependable option, and families should expect a spectrum of care quality rather than a consistent baseline.

On the plus side, the strongest pull comes from specific departments and clinicians who repeatedly earn praise for competency and teamwork. The trauma unit has been highlighted for swift action, with doctors and specialists who engage decisively in life-threatening situations. Interventional radiology and certain surgeons are noted for clear communication and technical skill, delivering positive outcomes in complex cases. Throughout the hospital, certain nurses, aides, and care-team members have earned gratitude for their professionalism, attentiveness, and supportive presence. In select areas, patients report clean facilities, purposeful care coordination, and meaningful help from case management and ancillary staff.

Yet those strengths are undercut by deeply troubling patterns in other parts of the experience. A persistent thread across many reviews is significant communication breakdowns: missed updates, conflicting information, and unclear discharge instructions that leave families frustrated and anxious. The emergency department, in particular, is plagued by long wait times and perceptions of indifference or rudness from staff. Reports of inadequate supervision, inconsistent bedside care, and episodes of neglect - or at least a troubling sense that patient comfort isn't consistently prioritized - appear far too often. Billing confusion and out-of-network charges further erode trust, underscoring a systemic fragility that complicates even straightforward visits or transfers.

The question for families is whether the visible pros justify the persistent cons. In emergencies, the presence of capable trauma teams and certain specialists can offset some risk if quick, decisive intervention is achieved and if a determined advocate is present to stay on top of updates and decisions. However, the recurrent issues around communication, wait times, and basic patient experience tend to overwhelm the benefits for non-emergency care or routine procedures. That means North Oaks can be a viable option for high-acuity scenarios where swift action is possible, but it is not a reliable home base for long-term care, ongoing management, or frequent, non-emergent visits without a plan to mitigate the system's gaps.

For families navigating decisions, the practical move is targeted engagement: verify, in advance, which departments have a track record of solid outcomes and clear communication, and request specific providers when possible. Prepare to be your own best advocate - bring a trusted family member or friend who can stay with the loved one, ask for written care plans, and escalate concerns through patient advocates when needed. Consider parallel plans with nearby alternatives known for more consistent ER experiences or cleaner, more predictable discharge processes, such as St. Tammany or Lakeview facilities, especially for non-emergent care or routine tests. If choosing North Oaks, enter with realistic expectations and a readiness to actively participate in every step of the care journey.

Bottom line: North Oaks delivers true value in select high-acuity situations where skilled clinicians can intervene decisively, and where one or two dependable team members provide steady guidance. For everyday hospital needs, persistent communication failures, and uneven service quality, the risks outweigh the benefits. Families weighing options should treat this center as a potential emergency ally rather than a default, and should lean toward alternatives for routine, preventive, or comfort-focused care unless a specific department or clinician has demonstrated exceptional consistency and compassion.

Located in Hammond, Louisiana, this area offers a convenient and diverse range of amenities for seniors looking to settle down. With several healthcare options nearby, including physicians, pharmacies, and specialty clinics, residents can easily access medical care. A variety of dining options are also available within a short distance, ranging from fast food to sit-down restaurants, catering to different tastes. There are also places of worship for those looking to maintain their spiritual practices. Additionally, cafes provide a cozy setting for socializing or enjoying a cup of coffee. For outdoor enthusiasts, the Joyce Wildlife Management Area is just a short drive away for those who enjoy nature walks or birdwatching. Overall, this part of Hammond offers a mix of convenience and leisure that may appeal to seniors looking for a vibrant community to call home.

Physicians

• North Oaks Diagnostic Center (0 miles)
• Plaza Orthopedics (0.1 miles)
• Pediatrix Medical Group (0.2 miles)
• North Oaks Orthopaedic Specialty Center (0.2 miles)
• North Oaks ENT & Allergy Clinic (0.2 miles)
• North Oaks Urology (0.2 miles)
• Northshore Internal Medicine Associates (0.2 miles)

Pharmacies

• Scott's Pharmacy (0.3 miles)
• Southern Pharmaceutical (1.1 miles)
• Floyd's Family Pharmacy (1.1 miles)
• Walgreens (1.2 miles)
• Walmart Pharmacy (1.7 miles)
• Walmart Pharmacy (1.7 miles)
• Walgreens (2 miles)

Restaurants

• Chick-Fil-A (1 miles)
• Margaritas Mexican Restaurant (1.1 miles)
• Nagoya Hammond (1.1 miles)
• Raising Cane's Chicken Fingers (1.1 miles)
• Wendy's (1.2 miles)
• McDonald's (1.2 miles)
• Subway (1.3 miles)

Places of Worship

• Woodland Park Baptist Church (1 miles)
• Oak Tree Life Center (1.4 miles)
• First Presbyterian Church (2.6 miles)
• Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (2.7 miles)
• First Bethel Indpndnce Methodist Untd Prgrssve Cmmnty (3 miles)
• New Home Family Worship Center of Hammond (3.5 miles)
• Grace Independent Baptist Church (5.6 miles)

Cafes

• Pj's Coffee (1.1 miles)
• Rainbow Daiquiris & Gourmet (2.2 miles)
• Yellow Bird Cafe (2.6 miles)
• Starbucks (2.9 miles)
• Java City (3.3 miles)
• Hickory Small Animal Hospital (11.9 miles)

Transportation

• Wildlife Art Taxidermy (1.4 miles)
• Alamo (2.5 miles)

Parks

• Joyce Wildlife Management Area (8.3 miles)