Dr. Catherine Anne Sellens – Emergency Room Doctor | Hamilton, ON

Dr. Catherine Anne Sellens is an experienced Emergency Room Doctor, committed to delivering high-quality acute medical care to patients presenting to the Emergency Department. Practicing at Queen's University in Hamilton, ON, she is a key member of the frontline medical team serving the community. She adheres to the standards and guidelines set by the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario (CPSO). Dr. Sellens 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 McMaster University in Canada and has over 24 years of experience working as an Emergency Room Doctor since 2000. Dr. Sellens is recognized as a Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada (RCPSC) Specialist in Emergency Medicine by the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario (CPSO). Her extensive training and experience enable her to deliver expert care in emergency situations, ensuring swift and accurate treatment for her patients.

Dr. Sellens’s professional philosophy centers on providing rapid and accurate assessments in critical situations while maintaining compassionate care under pressure. She emphasizes effective teamwork and clear communication within the multidisciplinary ER team, adhering strictly to evidence-based emergency medicine protocols. Her dedication to patient safety and advocacy ensures that every individual receives the urgent attention they need. She delivers emergency care in English and is committed to serving the community of Hamilton with integrity and professionalism.

Dr. Catherine Sellens is experienced in assessing and managing a wide array of acute medical and surgical emergencies, including (but not limited to):

Acute Cardiovascular Conditions

Dr. Sellens manages related to urgent cardiac or vascular issues, such as acute chest pain, suspected heart attacks, severe arrhythmias, and hypertensive crises.

• Cardiac Arrhythmias (e.g., Atrial Fibrillation with Rapid Response, Ventricular Tachycardia): Utilizing advanced EKG interpretation skills for accurate arrhythmia diagnosis.
• Hypertensive Emergencies: Differentiating hypertensive emergency from hypertensive urgency.

Acute Respiratory Conditions

Dr. Sellens manages evaluating and treating sudden onset or severe worsening of breathing difficulties from various causes.

• Pneumonia (Severe or Complicated): Management of pneumonia complications such as empyema, lung abscess, significant pleural effusion, or acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS).
• Pulmonary Embolism: Prompt initiation of anticoagulation therapy for confirmed PE, or thrombolytic therapy for hemodynamically unstable (massive) PE.

Trauma and Musculoskeletal Injuries

Dr. Sellens manages employing evidence-based approaches to treat musculoskeletal trauma and facilitate appropriate follow-up.

• Minor and Major Lacerations, Abrasions, and Burns: Evaluation and care for abrasions and puncture wounds, including foreign body assessment.
• Head Trauma / Concussion (Mild Traumatic Brain Injury): Prompt recognition and stabilization of patients with more severe traumatic brain injuries (e.g., intracranial hemorrhage, diffuse axonal injury), including measures to manage increased intracranial pressure and rapid coordination with neurosurgical and critical care teams.

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.
• Lumbar Puncture (Spinal Tap): Interpreting initial CSF findings (e.g., cell count, glucose, protein) in the emergency setting to guide immediate treatment.
• Diagnostic Workup for Acute Conditions: Ordering and interpreting urgent laboratory tests (blood work, urinalysis, cardiac markers, etc.) and imaging studies (X-rays, CT scans, ultrasounds).
• Treatment of Acute Infections and Sepsis: Administering appropriate antimicrobial agents for a wide range of bacterial, viral, and fungal infections presenting emergently.
• Management of Head Injuries and Concussions: Providing anticipatory guidance regarding potential post-concussive symptoms.
• Procedural Sedation and Analgesia (PSA): Providing varying depths of sedation tailored to the specific procedure and patient needs.

Note: This list outlines key areas of emergency medical care. The services provided by Dr. Sellens 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.

Queen's University in Hamilton's Hamilton North End, Beasley neighborhood is home to the Emergency Department where Dr. Sellens practices. Situated near Ancaster Mill (Ancaster), the facility is accessible via Hamilton Street Railway (HSR). The hospital's emergency department is fully accessible to all patients, with designated parking spots for emergency access. Visitors are advised to follow hospital signage for ER patient drop-off and parking. The department serves as a critical access point for urgent medical care within the community, integrating seamlessly with comprehensive hospital services to provide high-quality emergency care 24/7.

When should I go to the Emergency Room (ER) where Dr. Sellens 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. Sellens, is focused on providing immediate care for emergencies.

When should I see Dr. Sellens in the ER versus my family doctor for a health issue?

Dr. Sellens 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.

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. Sellens 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.

What is the role of the triage nurse when I arrive at the ER?

When you arrive at the Emergency Room, a specially trained triage nurse will be one of the first healthcare professionals you see. Their role is to quickly assess the urgency of your medical condition based on your symptoms, vital signs, and a brief history. This assessment helps determine your priority for treatment relative to other patients. The triage nurse ensures that the most critically ill or injured patients are seen by an ER doctor like Dr. Sellens as quickly as possible. They may also initiate some basic tests or interventions while you wait.

What is the primary role of an Emergency Room Doctor like Dr. Sellens?

The main responsibility of an Emergency Room Doctor like Dr. Sellens, a trained Emergency Room Doctor, is to care for patients with acute medical problems that require immediate attention. They are experts at quickly assessing patients, ordering and interpreting diagnostic tests, initiating life-saving treatments, and performing a variety of emergency procedures. They manage 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.

Queen's University
237 Barton Street East
Hamilton, ON L8L 2X2

Hospital Main Line: (905) 527-4322

The hospital Emergency Department is fully accessible to all patients.

Dr. Sellens 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. Sellens or the on-duty emergency team.

Verify Dr. Sellens's registration with the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario (CPSO): https://doctors.cpso.on.ca/DoctorDetails/Sellens-Catherine-Anne/0056347-67935