About
Dr. Anne Irene Clarke is an experienced Emergency Room Doctor, committed to delivering high-quality acute medical care to patients presenting to the Emergency Department. Practicing at Royal Victoria Regional Health in Barrie, ON, she is a key member of the frontline medical team serving the community. Her practice adheres to the standards set by the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario (CPSO). She is skilled in the rapid assessment, diagnosis, and stabilization of a broad spectrum of urgent and emergent medical, surgical, and traumatic conditions in patients of all ages. This includes managing time-sensitive situations, performing necessary emergency procedures, and coordinating care effectively within the fast-paced ER environment. The Emergency Department operates 24/7 to provide care for urgent and life-threatening conditions. Patients are seen based on the severity of their condition, as determined by a triage process.
Dr. Clarke graduated with a Medical Degree from the University of Toronto (Canada). She has over 34 years of experience practicing as an Emergency Room Doctor since 1990. She is recognized as a Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada (RCPSC) Specialist by the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario (CPSO). Her extensive clinical experience ensures that she provides expert emergency care across a wide range of urgent health issues, always prioritizing patient safety and evidence-based practices.
Her professional philosophy emphasizes rapid and accurate assessment in critical situations, delivering compassionate care under pressure, and fostering effective teamwork and communication within the multidisciplinary ER team. Dr. Clarke is dedicated to providing exceptional acute care to the community of Barrie, adhering to the highest standards of emergency medicine. She communicates fluently in English and is committed to advocating for her patients' needs while maintaining clinical excellence in every interaction.
Dr. Anne Clarke is experienced in assessing and managing a wide array of acute medical and surgical emergencies, including (but not limited to):
Acute Cardiovascular Conditions
Dr. Clarke manages focusing on the rapid stabilization of patients experiencing acute cardiac distress or vascular compromise.
- Aortic Dissection / Aneurysm (Suspected): Maintaining a high index of suspicion for these conditions in patients presenting with severe, tearing chest, back, or abdominal pain, or unexplained syncope.
- Chest Pain (e.g., suspected Acute Coronary Syndrome, Myocardial Infarction): Initial emergency management of acute coronary syndromes, including EKG interpretation, timely administration of aspirin and antiplatelet agents, cardiac biomarker assessment, and reperfusion strategies if indicated.
Acute Respiratory Conditions
Dr. Clarke manages addressing critical illnesses of the airways and lungs that are frequently encountered and stabilized in the emergency department.
- Pneumonia (Severe or Complicated): Assessing need for hospitalization versus outpatient management based on severity scores.
- COPD Exacerbation: Ensuring appropriate follow-up care post-discharge from the ER.
- Asthma Exacerbation / Status Asthmaticus: Monitoring response to therapy closely and adjusting treatment accordingly.
Trauma and Musculoskeletal Injuries
Dr. Clarke manages specializing in the initial resuscitation and care of patients with significant or multiple traumatic injuries.
- Minor and Major Lacerations, Abrasions, and Burns: Meticulous cleaning, assessment of depth and contamination, and appropriate repair of skin wounds, including suturing, stapling, or application of tissue adhesives.
- Multiple Trauma / Polytrauma (Initial Stabilization and Resuscitation): Systematic and prioritized trauma assessment following Advanced Trauma Life Support (ATLS) protocols to rapidly identify and address immediate life-threatening conditions (e.g., airway obstruction, tension pneumothorax, massive hemorrhage).
- Fractures, Dislocations, and Sprains/Strains: Facilitation of urgent referral to orthopedic specialists for complex fractures, open fractures, neurovascularly compromised injuries, or those requiring surgical intervention.
This list is not exhaustive. The Emergency Department is equipped to handle a broad spectrum of urgent health issues. If you believe you have a medical emergency, please proceed to the nearest ER or call emergency services.
- Diagnosis of Life-Threatening Emergencies: Swift and accurate diagnosis of critical pathologies to facilitate immediate and appropriate therapeutic measures.
- Lumbar Puncture (Spinal Tap): Managing potential complications like post-LP headache.
- Treatment of Acute Infections and Sepsis: Administering appropriate antimicrobial agents for a wide range of bacterial, viral, and fungal infections presenting emergently.
- Chest Tube Insertion (Tube Thoracostomy): Providing analgesia and monitoring for complications post-procedure.
- Rapid Triage and Initial Medical Assessment: Immediate evaluation of patients presenting to the emergency department to determine urgency and prioritize care based on acuity.
- Wound Care and Laceration Repair: Administering tetanus prophylaxis and appropriate antibiotics for contaminated wounds or those at high risk of infection.
Note: This list outlines key areas of emergency medical care. The services provided by Dr. Clarke are tailored to the immediate needs of patients in acute situations.
All emergency medical services are provided in accordance with the standards of practice set by the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario (CPSO) and relevant CAEP (Canadian Association of Emergency Physicians) and relevant acute care guidelines. Emergency care is prioritized based on medical urgency.
Royal Victoria Regional Health, located in Barrie's Downtown Barrie, East Bayfield neighborhood, offers a state-of-the-art Emergency Department designed to provide urgent and comprehensive medical care. The hospital is easily accessible via Barrie Transit, with designated parking spots for emergency access. The ER is situated within the hospital complex, which is fully accessible to all patients. Clear signage guides visitors for ER patient drop-off and parking. This facility serves as a critical access point for urgent medical needs within the community, integrating seamlessly with the hospital’s extensive services to ensure prompt and effective care for all emergency cases.
- Will my family doctor be informed about my visit to the ER with Dr. Clarke?
- Maintaining communication with your family doctor is crucial for your ongoing health management. After your assessment and treatment by Dr. Clarke in the Emergency Room, a report of your visit is generally forwarded to your primary care physician, especially if follow-up care or medication adjustments are necessary. To facilitate this, please make sure the ER registration staff have the correct contact details for your family doctor.
- What should I bring with me if I need to go to the Emergency Room where Dr. Clarke works?
- If you need to visit the ER, it's very helpful to bring your provincial health card and any other relevant insurance information. A complete list of your current medications (including name, dosage, and how often you take them), any known drug allergies, and a brief summary of your significant medical history (like major illnesses, past surgeries, or chronic conditions) can greatly assist Dr. Clarke and the ER team. If possible, also bring contact information for your family doctor. For children, their immunization record can be useful if it's readily available.
- What is the role of the triage nurse when I arrive at the ER?
- The triage nurse in the ER performs a crucial initial assessment to rapidly evaluate how serious your condition is. They will ask about your symptoms, check your vital signs (like blood pressure, heart rate, and temperature), and assign you a triage level. This level dictates how quickly you need to be seen by an Emergency Room Doctor such as Dr. Clarke, ensuring that patients with life-threatening conditions receive immediate care. They are a key part of the ER team that ensures patient safety and efficient flow.
- When should I see Dr. Clarke in the ER versus my family doctor for a health issue?
- Dr. Clarke and the Emergency Room team are best equipped to handle acute, severe, or potentially life-threatening medical conditions. For ongoing care, management of chronic illnesses (unless there's an acute exacerbation), routine check-ups, preventative health measures, prescription refills for stable conditions, and non-urgent health concerns, your family doctor is the most appropriate healthcare provider. They offer continuity of care and have a comprehensive understanding of your overall health history. If your condition is not an emergency, consulting your family doctor or a walk-in clinic is generally recommended.
- What is the primary role of an Emergency Room Doctor like Dr. Clarke?
- The main responsibility of an Emergency Room Doctor like Dr. Clarke, a trained emergency physician, is to care for patients with acute medical problems that require immediate attention. She is an expert at quickly assessing patients, ordering and interpreting diagnostic tests, initiating life-saving treatments, and performing a variety of emergency procedures. She manages everything from severe trauma and cardiac arrests to less critical but still urgent issues, ensuring patients are stabilized and receive appropriate next steps in their care.
- Why are wait times in the Emergency Room sometimes long?
- The length of your wait in the ER is determined by a medical sorting process called triage, which Dr. Clarke and the team follow. This system ensures that the sickest patients receive care first. Factors like the number of patients currently in the ER, the severity of their conditions, and the availability of treatment rooms and staff can all impact wait times. While it can be difficult to wait, please know that the emergency team is working hard to attend to every patient based on medical priority.
Royal Victoria Regional Health
201 Georgian Dr, Centre Department of Anesthesiology
Barrie, ON L4M 6M2
Hospital Main Line: (705) 728-9090
The hospital Emergency Department is fully accessible to all patients.
Dr. Clarke is a licensed Emergency Room Doctor regulated by the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario (CPSO) under the Regulated Health Professions Act, 1991 and Medicine Act, 1991 in ON. Emergency Room services are typically accessed by presenting directly to the Emergency Department or via ambulance (e.g., by calling 911) for urgent medical conditions. No direct referral is usually required to be seen in the ER by Dr. Clarke or the on-duty emergency team.
Verify Dr. Clarke's registration with the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario (CPSO): https://doctors.cpso.on.ca/DoctorDetails/Clarke-Anne-Irene/0041901-55877