Dr. Debra Anne Eagles – Emergency Room Doctor | Ottawa, ON

Dr. Debra Anne Eagles is an experienced Emergency Room Doctor, committed to delivering high-quality acute medical care to patients presenting to the Emergency Department. Practicing at the Emergency Department in Ottawa, 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. Eagles 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. Eagles graduated with a Medical Degree from the University of Ottawa in Canada. She has over 11 years of experience working as an Emergency Room Doctor since 2013. She 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 provide expert care in a variety of critical situations, ensuring that patients receive timely and appropriate treatment.

Her professional philosophy centers on a commitment to rapid and accurate assessment in critical situations, providing compassionate care under pressure, and maintaining effective teamwork and communication within the multidisciplinary ER team. Dr. Eagles adheres strictly to evidence-based emergency medicine protocols, always prioritizing patient safety and advocating for patient needs in acute settings. She is dedicated to providing comprehensive and compassionate emergency care to the community of Ottawa, delivering her services in English with professionalism and dedication.

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

Acute Cardiovascular Conditions

Dr. Eagles 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.
• Hypertensive Emergencies: Monitoring vital signs and end-organ function closely during treatment.
• Acute Heart Failure Exacerbation: Identifying and treating precipitating factors for heart failure decompensation.

Acute Respiratory Conditions

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

• 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.
• 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. Eagles manages offering immediate assessment, pain management, and stabilization for various physical injuries encountered in the emergency department setting.

• Fractures, Dislocations, and Sprains/Strains: Effective initial pain management, timely closed reduction of simple joint dislocations (often under procedural sedation), and appropriate immobilization using splints, casts, or slings to protect the injured area.
• 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.

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: Early recognition and aggressive, protocol-driven management of sepsis and septic shock to improve survival rates.
• Central Venous Access and Arterial Line Placement: Often utilizing ultrasound guidance to improve success rates and reduce complications during vascular access procedures.
• 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.
• Diagnostic Workup for Acute Conditions: Employing rapid diagnostic tools and protocols to efficiently evaluate patients with urgent health concerns.
• Rapid Triage and Initial Medical Assessment: Conducting prompt initial screening and assessment to sort patients by medical priority in a dynamic emergency environment.

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

The Emergency Department at Civic Hospital is situated in the vibrant neighborhood of Hintonburg, Ottawa, ON. It is conveniently located within the Civic Hospital complex, easily accessible from surrounding areas including Westboro East and near Little Italy. The facility is accessible via OC Transpo, including the O-Train LRT and bus routes, providing convenient transportation options for patients and visitors. The hospital's Emergency Department is fully accessible to all patients, equipped with modern facilities to ensure safety and comfort. Ample hospital parking is available, with designated spots for emergency access. Patients are directed according to hospital signage for ER drop-off and parking, ensuring quick and easy access for urgent cases. This ER serves as a critical access point for urgent medical care within the community, integrating seamlessly with comprehensive hospital services to deliver high-quality emergency care 24/7.

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. Eagles 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. Eagles?

Dr. Eagles, as a an Emergency Room Doctor trained to provide immediate medical care for a wide range of acute illnesses and injuries, specializes in emergency medicine. This field focuses on the immediate decision-making and action necessary to prevent death or further disability both in the pre-hospital setting (by directing emergency medical services) and in the emergency department. Their primary focus is on diagnosing undifferentiated acute conditions, resuscitating and stabilizing patients who are critically ill or injured, providing pain relief and symptom control, and coordinating comprehensive care for a diverse patient population presenting with urgent medical needs.

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. Eagles 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.

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

The Emergency Room, where Dr. Eagles practices, is designed for urgent and emergency situations—conditions that require immediate medical intervention to prevent serious harm or death. Your family doctor, on the other hand, provides comprehensive primary care, including treatment for common illnesses, management of long-term health conditions, immunizations, and preventative screening. For problems that are not immediate emergencies, your family doctor can provide more personalized and continuous care. If you have a non-urgent issue, the ER may involve a long wait.

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

Unit J, 1053 Carling Avenue
Ottawa, ON K1Y 4E9

Hospital Main Line: (613) 798-5555

The hospital Emergency Department is fully accessible to all patients.

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

Verify Dr. Eagles's registration with the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario (CPSO): https://doctors.cpso.on.ca/DoctorDetails/Eagles-Debra-Anne/0250937-88977