About
Dr. David Jordan Smith is an experienced Emergency Room Doctor, committed to delivering high-quality acute medical care to patients presenting to the Emergency Department. Practicing at St Joseph's Hospital in East York, ON, he is a key member of the frontline medical team serving the community. He adheres to the standards and guidelines set by the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario (CPSO). Dr. Smith's role involves 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.
He graduated with a Medical Degree from the University of Toronto in Canada and has over 3 years of experience working as an Emergency Room Doctor since 2021. Dr. Smith is recognized as a Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada (RCPSC) Specialist by the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario (CPSO). His extensive training and certification enable him to provide expert emergency care, ensuring that patients receive timely and appropriate treatment in critical situations.
Dr. Smith's professional philosophy centers on a commitment to rapid and accurate assessment in critical situations, providing compassionate care under pressure. He values effective teamwork and communication within the multidisciplinary ER team, adhering to evidence-based emergency medicine protocols. His primary focus is on patient safety, advocating for patient needs in acute settings. He delivers emergency care in English and is dedicated to serving the community of East York with professionalism and empathy.
Dr. David Smith is experienced in assessing and managing a wide array of acute medical and surgical emergencies, including (but not limited to):
Acute Cardiovascular Conditions
Dr. Smith manages encompassing life-threatening heart and circulatory problems frequently encountered and managed within the emergency department setting.
- Acute Heart Failure Exacerbation: Emergency management of sudden worsening of chronic heart failure symptoms, typically presenting as severe shortness of breath (dyspnea), fluid overload (edema), and orthopnea.
- Cardiac Arrhythmias (e.g., Atrial Fibrillation with Rapid Response, Ventricular Tachycardia): Stabilization of patients presenting with symptomatic or life-threatening tachyarrhythmias (e.g., VT, SVT) or bradyarrhythmias (e.g., complete heart block).
Acute Respiratory Conditions
Dr. Smith manages evaluating and treating sudden onset or severe worsening of breathing difficulties from various causes.
- Acute Shortness of Breath (Dyspnea): Initiation of immediate management strategies to improve oxygenation, reduce work of breathing, and alleviate respiratory distress.
- Pneumothorax (Spontaneous or Traumatic): Interventions may include observation for small pneumothoraces, needle aspiration for symptomatic relief, or chest tube (thoracostomy) insertion for larger or tension pneumothoraces.
- Pneumonia (Severe or Complicated): Utilizing chest imaging and microbiological studies to confirm diagnosis and guide therapy.
Trauma and Musculoskeletal Injuries
Dr. Smith manages providing urgent medical care for a wide spectrum of injuries resulting from accidents, falls, sports, or violence, affecting bones, joints, muscles, tendons, ligaments, and soft tissues.
- Soft Tissue Injuries (e.g., Contusions, Hematomas, Sprains): Providing advice on the principles of RICE (Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation) and appropriate analgesia for acute soft tissue injuries.
- Head Trauma / Concussion (Mild Traumatic Brain Injury): Comprehensive evaluation of patients presenting with head injuries, including detailed neurological assessment (e.g., GCS, cranial nerve exam) and application of clinical decision rules (e.g., Canadian CT Head Rule) to determine the need for CT imaging.
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.
- Treatment of Acute Infections and Sepsis: Performing source control measures for infections where appropriate in the ER setting, such as incision and drainage of abscesses.
- Wound Care and Laceration Repair: Assessment and management of abrasions, puncture wounds, avulsions, and minor to moderate thermal or chemical burns.
- Diagnosis of Life-Threatening Emergencies: Identifying and initiating immediate management for critical conditions such as acute myocardial infarction (heart attack), stroke (CVA), severe infections (sepsis), and acute respiratory failure.
- Resuscitation and Stabilization of Critically Ill Patients: Implementing Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS), Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS), and Advanced Trauma Life Support (ATLS) interventions as required.
- Procedural Sedation and Analgesia (PSA): Safe and effective administration of sedative and analgesic medications to facilitate patient comfort and cooperation during uncomfortable or painful procedures in the ER.
- Management of Head Injuries and Concussions: Assessing for associated cervical spine injuries in patients with head trauma.
Note: This list outlines key areas of emergency medical care. The services provided by Dr. Smith 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.
St Joseph's Hospital in East York is a major hospital in the neighborhood, situated conveniently within close proximity to the hospital campus. Easily accessible via local public transit serving the hospital, the Emergency Department is a critical access point for urgent medical care within the community. The hospital's ER is fully accessible to all patients, with designated parking spots available for emergency access. Clear signage directs patients to ER drop-off zones and parking facilities. As a comprehensive healthcare facility, St Joseph's Hospital provides round-the-clock emergency services integrated with a wide range of hospital departments and specialists, ensuring seamless patient care in urgent situations.
- When should I see Dr. Smith in the ER versus my family doctor for a health issue?
- Dr. Smith 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?
- 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. Smith 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. Smith?
- An Emergency Room Doctor, such as Dr. Smith, 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. Smith 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.
- When should I go to the Emergency Room (ER) where Dr. Smith 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. Smith, is focused on providing immediate care for emergencies.
- Will my family doctor be informed about my visit to the ER with Dr. Smith?
- Maintaining communication with your family doctor is crucial for your ongoing health management. After your assessment and treatment by Dr. Smith 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.
St Joseph's Hospital
Room T 2105, 825 Coxwell Ave, Thoracic Surgery
East York, ON M4C 3E7
Hospital Main Line: (416) 461-8272
The hospital Emergency Department is fully accessible to all patients.
Dr. Smith 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. Smith or the on-duty emergency team.
Verify Dr. Smith's registration with the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario (CPSO): https://doctors.cpso.on.ca/DoctorDetails/Smith-David-Jordan/0310757-110079