★★★
I was in this hospital for the first time last week and my experience was less than stellar, and it had nothing to do with the physician. I had to go through my insurance information 3 times during admission due to a typo (which i understand happens as i am a social worker) but they were demanding money when I have no copay.
When I was finally able to settle that matter the surgery went smoothly. It took a while for nurses to respond as I had complications and I arrived on the floor during shift change. My issue was this-- the following morning an occupational therapist who was very kind, Claire was working with me to see how I dressed myself following neck surgery and a male from nutritional services walked in without excusing himself while I am in a bra and underwear. He could have waited. I understand that things happen in a hospital. I've worked in several myself. The nurses were all good. I had conversations with them and they were supportive. One even prayed with me but I can't remember her name due to my sedation.
★★
My brother had his finger smashed in a work accident. Urgent care sent him to this ER because they didn't have an X-ray. When we arrived, he received an X-ray and his finger was wrapped. He also informed them that he is a Type 1 diabetic , but no one asked about his levels or showed concern about how the injury and blood loss might be affecting him.
I repeatedly asked the staff to check his blood sugar because he was extremely drowsy. When they finally did, it was 425, which is severely high. Despite this, the staff seemed very relaxed which I assume is because they didn't want to worry him at the time, but later I think they may have simply not been educated on just how severe this is. Afterwards he was placed in a room it took 35 minutes before anyone took action to bring his blood sugar down. During this time, I stepped out multiple times asking for help, including asking if he could receive an insulin injection because he clearly needed to get his levels down.
I had to make some edits due to too many words but here are some timestamps including when his blood sugar was checked during the visit:
9:44 PM: Blood sugar was 425. He was brought to a room afterward.
10:07 PM: Blood sugar was 410.
10:28 PM: IV fluids were started (0.9% sodium chloride). This can help lower blood sugar through rehydration, but for severe hyperglycemia in a Type 1 diabetic, it was extremely concerning that insulin was not given immediately, despite my suggestion. The doctor (I believe her name was Dr. Yorick, with red hair) insisted the IV fluids would lower his blood sugar by at least 100 points, and seemed frustrated that I even suggested insulin.
10:45 PM: I noticed the bag was empty. I requested three times for his blood sugar to be checked before anyone did so.
11:27 PM: Blood sugar was 394.
11:37 PM: He received 4 units of fast-acting insulin.
After this, he was left alone for about 3 hours with no sugar checks. During this period, I asked multiple staff members to have his blood sugar checked. Each person said yes but did not follow through. It wasn't until a new staff member came to check his vitals that I asked again. She immediately went to get a meter and checked his sugar within a minute.
2:18 AM: Blood sugar was 361.
It is very concerning that after 2 hours and 51 minutes, his blood sugar dropped only 33 points despite fast-acting insulin. It's also possible that his sugar may have dropped lower and risen again--but I could not know because no one came to check him. He remained in severe hyperglycemia throughout most of his emergency room stay with very little monitoring.
2:53 AM: Blood sugar was 369. At this point, it was hard to tell whether his sugar had lowered more earlier and then climbed again. The nurse wanted to give more insulin, but my brother refused because he was unsure whether the insulin he received earlier had even been effective. Our mother, who is a pharmacist, agreed with his decision to wait and use his own insulin at home.
Afterwards, the nurse placed a bandage and splint on his finger and gave us discharge papers. Once we left, I noticed his finger was still bleeding through the bandage. I called to ask whether we were allowed to change it, and the nurse confirmed we could. That was fine, but his finger had been left exposed in the ER and became dirty. Now, 24 hours later, his finger is still bleeding. I don't know why it wasn't properly wrapped. My mother now has to take him to the orthopedic clinic to have it cleaned, wrapped, and evaluated again.
★
I had a visit with Dr. Ross Cockrell at Baton Rouge General in August 2025. The care I received was excellent, and I have no complaints about Dr. Cockrell himself -- he seemed kind, knowledgeable, and compassionate.
However, the billing practices of this clinic are deceptive and unethical, and I want other patients to be warned. I paid a copay at check-in, thinking this was a standard specialist office visit (as my insurance covers). Weeks later, I received a bill for an additional $136 -- not because of anything I did or any extra service I received, but because the clinic chose to bill my visit under "outpatient hospital" codes rather than as an office visit. This disqualified it from my specialist copay and applied the full charge to my deductible.
At no point was I told this would be billed differently. No one at scheduling, check-in, or during the visit mentioned that I would be charged hospital facility rates for a routine 15-minute appointment. When I disputed the bill, I was told there was a sign on the wall -- which is apparently their version of informed consent. That's unacceptable.
Many people don't read wall signage. Most assume that paying a copay means the cost is covered. And for those with high-deductible plans, this kind of billing loophole can cost hundreds more -- with zero warning.
I've filed complaints with the Louisiana Department of Insurance and the federal No Surprises Help Desk. I will not return to this clinic as long as this kind of predatory billing is allowed.
Patients deserve transparent billing -- not surprise charges and legal loopholes. Ask before you're seen: "Will this be billed as a hospital outpatient visit or a regular office visit?" That one question could save you hundreds.
★★★★★
Plenty of parking for patients and staff. Handicap Friendly facility. Pharmacy onsite, covered parking and Valet parking available. Clean throughout campus. No-Smoking facility. Signage is easily recognizable. Cafeteria onsite. Information desk staff is approachable and willing to assist. Staff is accessible, willing and able to help. Friendly and positive employees throughout.
★★★★★
Baton Rouge General Hospital always puts on a cute little light show each year. Talk about, "Light Up The Night!" This beautiful light display is about a 30 minute walk thru and its free! A perfect thing to do with family, friends, or couples who want to get into the spirit of Christmas. Its also a perfect place to get that Christmas picture. Located right across the road from The Mall of Louisiana. Plan a night with the mall, dinner, and lights!
