About
Dr. Ayesha Zia is an experienced Emergency Room Doctor, committed to delivering high-quality acute medical care to patients presenting to the Emergency Department. Practicing at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre in Ottawa, ON, she is a key member of the frontline medical team serving the community. She adheres to the standards and ethical guidelines set by the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario (CPSO). Dr. Zia 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.
She graduated with a Medical Degree from Ziauddin Medical University in Pakistan and has been practicing as an Emergency Room Doctor since 2019, accumulating over 5 years of extensive clinical experience. Dr. Zia is recognized as a Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada (RCPSC) Specialist, ensuring her adherence to the highest standards of emergency medicine practice in Ontario.
Dr. Zia’s professional philosophy emphasizes rapid and accurate assessment in critical situations, providing compassionate care under pressure, and fostering effective teamwork within the multidisciplinary ER team. She is dedicated to evidence-based emergency medicine protocols, prioritizing patient safety while advocating for patient needs in acute settings. Additionally, she communicates effectively in Hindi, Urdu, and English, enabling her to serve a diverse patient population in emergency situations with empathy and clarity.
Dr. Ayesha Zia is experienced in assessing and managing a wide array of acute medical and surgical emergencies, including (but not limited to):
Acute Cardiovascular Conditions
Dr. Zia manages addressing emergent conditions of the cardiovascular system that can lead to significant morbidity or mortality if not promptly diagnosed and treated.
- Acute Heart Failure Exacerbation: Coordinating with cardiology for ongoing management post-stabilization.
- Cardiac Arrhythmias (e.g., Atrial Fibrillation with Rapid Response, Ventricular Tachycardia): Providing immediate care for patients at risk of cardiac arrest due to arrhythmias.
Acute Respiratory Conditions
Dr. Zia manages providing immediate care for patients experiencing acute respiratory distress or failure.
- Pneumothorax (Spontaneous or Traumatic): Diagnosis and management of a collapsed lung (air in the pleural space), which can be spontaneous or result from trauma.
- Pneumonia (Severe or Complicated): Diagnosis and initiation of treatment for lung infections, particularly severe community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) or healthcare-associated pneumonia (HCAP) presenting with respiratory distress or sepsis.
- Acute Shortness of Breath (Dyspnea): Comprehensive evaluation of patients presenting with sudden or severe difficulty breathing to rapidly determine the underlying physiological cause.
Trauma and Musculoskeletal Injuries
Dr. Zia manages specializing in the initial resuscitation and care of patients with significant or multiple traumatic injuries.
- Minor and Major Lacerations, Abrasions, and Burns: Administration of tetanus prophylaxis and consideration of antibiotics for contaminated wounds or those at high risk of infection, along with detailed wound care instructions.
- Head Trauma / Concussion (Mild Traumatic Brain Injury): Concurrent assessment for associated injuries, particularly cervical spine trauma, in all patients with significant head injuries.
- 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.
- Wound Care and Laceration Repair: Meticulous cleaning, debridement, irrigation, and repair (suturing, stapling, or adhesive closure) of simple and complex cuts, lacerations, and other soft tissue injuries.
- Management of Acute Pain and Symptom Relief: Utilizing a multimodal approach to pain management, including regional nerve blocks and procedural sedation when appropriate for the emergency setting.
- Diagnostic Workup for Acute Conditions: Utilizing point-of-care testing (POCT) and bedside imaging to expedite diagnosis in critical and time-sensitive situations.
- Management of Head Injuries and Concussions: Initial management of concussions (mild traumatic brain injury), including symptom assessment and providing patient education on cognitive/physical rest, recovery, and graduated return-to-activity/play.
- Care for Acute Exacerbations of Chronic Diseases: Managing acute flare-ups of chronic conditions such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), congestive heart failure, diabetes (e.g., DKA, HHS), or sickle cell crisis.
- Chest Tube Insertion (Tube Thoracostomy): Surgical skill in performing chest tube insertion and managing the drainage system.
Note: This list outlines key areas of emergency medical care. The services provided by Dr. Zia 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.
Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre is situated in the vibrant neighborhood of Hintonburg, Civic Hospital, and Westboro East in Ottawa. The hospital is easily accessible via public transportation, including OC Transpo (O-Train LRT and bus services). The Emergency Department is conveniently located within the hospital and is fully accessible to all patients. Visitors can access the ER through designated drop-off zones and parking areas, with hospital signage guiding the way. The hospital parking lot offers designated spots for emergency access, ensuring rapid arrival and departure for urgent cases. The Emergency Department serves as a critical access point for urgent medical care within the community, integrating seamlessly with comprehensive hospital services to provide timely and effective treatment for all patients in need.
- Why are wait times in the Emergency Room sometimes long?
- Wait times in the Emergency Room can fluctuate significantly due to several factors. The primary reason is the triage process: patients with the most severe and time-sensitive conditions are treated immediately. If many critically ill patients arrive simultaneously, or if the department is experiencing high patient volumes or staffing challenges, those with less acute problems may face longer waits. Dr. Zia and the ER staff understand that waiting can be frustrating and are committed to providing efficient care while ensuring the safety and well-being of all patients.
- When should I see Dr. Zia in the ER versus my family doctor for a health issue?
- Dr. Zia 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 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. Zia, 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.
- What is the primary role of an Emergency Room Doctor like Dr. Zia?
- An Emergency Room Doctor, such as Dr. Zia, is a physician specifically trained to provide immediate medical evaluation and treatment for a wide spectrum of acute illnesses and injuries, ranging from minor concerns to critical, life-threatening emergencies. Their core role involves rapid assessment (triage and diagnosis), stabilization of vital functions, performing necessary emergency procedures, and making crucial decisions about patient disposition (admission, transfer, or discharge). As a an Emergency Room Doctor trained to provide immediate medical care for a wide range of acute illnesses and injuries, Dr. Zia is highly skilled in managing the unpredictable and often high-pressure environment of the emergency department, working collaboratively with a team of nurses, technicians, and other specialists.
- Will my family doctor be informed about my visit to the ER with Dr. Zia?
- Maintaining communication with your family doctor is crucial for your ongoing health management. After your assessment and treatment by Dr. Zia 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.
- When should I go to the Emergency Room (ER) where Dr. Zia works, versus seeing my family doctor or going to a walk-in clinic?
- You should visit the ER for conditions that you believe could be life-threatening, limb-threatening, or could cause serious harm if not treated quickly. This includes symptoms like sudden severe pain (especially chest, abdominal, or head), difficulty breathing, suspected broken bones from a significant injury, uncontrolled bleeding, sudden changes in vision or neurological function, or if you've been advised to go by another healthcare provider. For less urgent concerns like mild colds, chronic pain management, or routine follow-ups, your family physician or a local urgent care/walk-in clinic is the better choice. ERs prioritize the most critical patients, meaning wait times for non-urgent issues can be considerable. The team, including Dr. Zia, is focused on providing immediate care for emergencies.
Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre
A309, 1053 Carling Avenue, Division of Urology
Ottawa, ON K1Y 4E9
Hospital Main Line: (613) 798-5555
The hospital Emergency Department is fully accessible to all patients.
Dr. Zia 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. Zia or the on-duty emergency team.
Verify Dr. Zia's registration with the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario (CPSO): https://doctors.cpso.on.ca/DoctorDetails/Zia-Ayesha/0288329-100347