Medical Staff In Louisiana Speak Up About Disrespect

(Lafayette, Louisiana) - I recently had to bring my daughter to an urgent care facility in Scott, Louisiana, and I was shocked to read some of the signs that I saw in the facility.

Let me start by saying the staff at every urgent care I've been to in Lafayette Parish has been phenomenal and very professional. Sadly, the good folks who work in these facilities often have to put up with unruly patients.

I know that when people are ill, they can be grouchy, and I am one of those, but that does not warrant the behavior of some while there for treatment.

As my daughter and I sat in the waiting room to go into the back area for treatment, I started reading the signs posted on the walls because my 7-year-old had my phone. What I read on a few of the signs was heartbreaking.

On a few signs mounted on the wall in the urgent care where we were, I read that unruly behavior toward staff would not be tolerated and that patients who didn't show respect for others would be removed from the property.

I immediately thought, if businesses have to post signs like that, they've dealt with some very rude and angry people. What really got to me was the one sign that said the staff working there are humans too and deserve to be treated as such.

Fast forward a few hours, and we were back in an ER with my daughter for further observations. As we sat there, I started reading the signs on their walls, and the messages I'd seen earlier at the other facility echoed what I was reading there. People must be showing up to medical facilities in Acadiana and being verbally abusive to the staff, which is sad

Sadly, the disrespect toward workers isn't isolated to medical facilities and Louisiana; just a few days ago, Pedro's Taco & Tequila Bar in Texas posted on social media asking customers to respect their employees. Apparently, some racist comments were made towards those who work there, and like the medical facilities I visited, the restaurant said that they would not tolerate such poor behavior.

I was telling a colleague about these signs and posts I read, and she said a friend who delivers food and groceries for extra income has been saying people seem ruder and more demanding. And yes, we all know we live in an instant-gratification society now, but that doesn't excuse some people's behavior.

We all have bad days, but the least we can do is show respect to those who are working; if you have a bad experience, it's always best and fairest to speak to management before taking it out on someone who may be having as bad a day as you.

Those signs addressing poor behavior in the offices were upsetting because I know we are better than that, and those working do not deserve this kind of treatment while trying to support their families.

Let's just all be nice.