About
Dr. Éric Piette is an experienced Emergency Room Doctor, committed to delivering high-quality acute medical care to patients presenting to the Emergency Department. Practicing at Hôpital du Sacré-Coeur de Montréal in Montréal, QC, he is a key member of the frontline medical team serving the community. His practice adheres to the standards set by the Collège des médecins du Québec (CMQ). Dr. Piette 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.
He holds a Medical Degree from a recognized institution and has accumulated over 14 years of experience as an Emergency Room Doctor since 2010. Dr. Piette has completed extensive post-graduate training and holds the necessary certifications to practice emergency medicine in Quebec, ensuring he remains current with the latest protocols and best practices in emergency care.
Dr. Piette’s professional philosophy centers on rapid and accurate assessment in critical situations, providing compassionate care under pressure, and fostering effective teamwork and communication within the multidisciplinary ER team. He is dedicated to ensuring patient safety, advocating for patient needs, and adhering to evidence-based emergency medicine protocols. Dr. Piette provides emergency medical services in French and is committed to serving the diverse community of Montréal with professionalism and empathy.
Dr. Éric Piette is experienced in assessing and managing a wide array of acute medical and surgical emergencies, including (but not limited to):
Acute Cardiovascular Conditions
Dr. Piette manages focusing on the rapid stabilization of patients experiencing acute cardiac distress or vascular compromise.
- Acute Heart Failure Exacerbation: Coordinating with cardiology for ongoing management post-stabilization.
- Hypertensive Emergencies: Controlled and judicious reduction of blood pressure using intravenous antihypertensive agents to prevent further complications while avoiding hypoperfusion.
- 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. Piette manages providing immediate care for patients experiencing acute respiratory distress or failure.
- Pulmonary Embolism: Prompt initiation of anticoagulation therapy for confirmed PE, or thrombolytic therapy for hemodynamically unstable (massive) PE.
- Pneumothorax (Spontaneous or Traumatic): Emergency treatment of tension pneumothorax, a life-threatening condition requiring immediate needle decompression followed by chest tube placement.
- COPD Exacerbation: Careful assessment for signs of respiratory failure and the need for supplemental oxygen or ventilatory support (non-invasive or invasive).
Trauma and Musculoskeletal Injuries
Dr. Piette manages specializing in the initial resuscitation and care of patients with significant or multiple traumatic injuries.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Rapid Triage and Initial Medical Assessment: Performing swift medical evaluations in the emergency setting to quickly ascertain the nature and severity of a patient's condition.
- Resuscitation and Stabilization of Critically Ill Patients: Expert airway management, including endotracheal intubation, cricothyrotomy, and initiation of mechanical ventilation support in acute respiratory emergencies.
- Lumbar Puncture (Spinal Tap): Performing diagnostic lumbar punctures to obtain cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) for the analysis and diagnosis of suspected central nervous system infections (meningitis, encephalitis), subarachnoid hemorrhage, or certain neurological conditions.
- Diagnostic Workup for Acute Conditions: Utilizing point-of-care testing (POCT) and bedside imaging to expedite diagnosis in critical and time-sensitive situations.
- Diagnosis of Life-Threatening Emergencies: Rapid recognition and differentiation of time-sensitive medical emergencies requiring prompt, often life-saving, intervention.
Note: This list outlines key areas of emergency medical care. The services provided by Dr. Piette 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 Collège des médecins du Québec (CMQ) and relevant CAEP (Canadian Association of Emergency Physicians) and relevant acute care guidelines. Emergency care is prioritized based on medical urgency.
Hôpital du Sacré-Coeur de Montréal is situated in the vibrant neighborhood of Cartierville North in Montréal. The Emergency Department is a critical access point for urgent medical care within the community, providing 24/7 services in a high-acuity environment. The hospital is easily accessible via the Pont Jacques-Cartier Access, with ample hospital parking available, including designated spots for emergency access. Patients and visitors can access the ER through clear hospital signage directing to ER patient drop-off and parking areas. The ER is fully accessible to all patients and is integrated with comprehensive hospital services to ensure seamless patient care and transfer of critical cases to specialized units as needed. The facility's location and infrastructure support rapid response and efficient management of urgent health issues, serving as a vital community resource.
- When should I see Dr. Piette in the ER versus my family doctor for a health issue?
- Dr. Piette 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.
- When should I go to the Emergency Room (ER) where Dr. Piette 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. Piette, is focused on providing immediate care for emergencies.
- What is the primary role of an Emergency Room Doctor like Dr. Piette?
- The main responsibility of an Emergency Room Doctor like Dr. Piette, a an Emergency Room Doctor trained to provide immediate medical care for a wide range of acute illnesses and injuries., 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.
- 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. Piette, 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.
- Why are wait times in the Emergency Room sometimes long?
- Emergency departments, including the one where Dr. Piette practices, utilize a triage system. This means patients are not seen on a first-come, first-served basis, but rather based on the severity and urgency of their medical condition. Patients with life-threatening injuries or illnesses (like heart attacks, strokes, or major trauma) are always prioritized and seen first. This can result in longer wait times for those with less urgent conditions, especially during peak hours or when the ER is managing multiple critically ill patients. The entire ER team, including Dr. Piette, works diligently to provide care to everyone as quickly and safely as possible.
Hôpital du Sacré-Coeur de Montréal
5400 boul Gouin O
Montréal, QC H4J 1C5
Hospital Main Line: (514) 338-2050
The hospital Emergency Department is fully accessible to all patients.
Dr. Piette is a licensed Emergency Room Doctor regulated by the Collège des médecins du Québec (CMQ) under the Medical Act in QC. 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. Piette or the on-duty emergency team.
Verify Dr. Piette's registration with the Collège des médecins du Québec (CMQ): https://www.cmq.org/en/directory/physicians?number=10264