Dr. Fredrik Awad

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

Acute Cardiovascular Conditions

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

• Chest Pain (e.g., suspected Acute Coronary Syndrome, Myocardial Infarction): Application of established chest pain protocols to ensure efficient and effective care.
• Hypertensive Emergencies: Differentiating hypertensive emergency from hypertensive urgency.
• Acute Heart Failure Exacerbation: Addressing acute pulmonary edema and potential cardiogenic shock associated with severe heart failure exacerbations.

Acute Respiratory Conditions

Dr. Awad manages addressing critical illnesses of the airways and lungs that are frequently encountered and stabilized in the emergency department.

• COPD Exacerbation: Identifying and addressing potential triggers for the exacerbation, such as respiratory infections or environmental exposures.
• Asthma Exacerbation / Status Asthmaticus: Treatment of life-threatening status asthmaticus, which may necessitate continuous nebulization, magnesium sulfate, or non-invasive/invasive ventilatory support.

Trauma and Musculoskeletal Injuries

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

• Multiple Trauma / Polytrauma (Initial Stabilization and Resuscitation): Initiating damage control resuscitation principles, including hemorrhage control, blood product administration, and prevention of hypothermia and coagulopathy.
• 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.
• 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.

• Diagnostic Workup for Acute Conditions: Formulating differential diagnoses for a wide range of undifferentiated acute symptoms through systematic investigation.
• Wound Care and Laceration Repair: Administering tetanus prophylaxis and appropriate antibiotics for contaminated wounds or those at high risk of infection.
• Treatment of Acute Infections and Sepsis: Initiation of empiric and targeted antibiotic therapy for suspected or confirmed severe infections based on clinical presentation and local epidemiology.
• Procedural Sedation and Analgesia (PSA): Careful monitoring of patients undergoing procedural sedation for interventions such as fracture reductions, large abscess drainage, or electrical cardioversion.
• Resuscitation and Stabilization of Critically Ill Patients: Leading and coordinating resuscitation efforts for patients in cardiac arrest, shock, or severe respiratory distress.
• Initial Assessment and Management of Traumatic Injuries: Expert assessment of injury mechanisms and patterns to guide diagnostic imaging and management strategies.

Note: This list outlines key areas of emergency medical care. The services provided by Dr. Awad 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 Pierre-Le Gardeur is situated in Terrebonne's Terrebonne West neighborhood, near the historic National Historic Site. The hospital is easily accessible via exo (Secteur Terrebonne-Mascouche), with the Emergency Department located within the hospital complex. The ER is a high-acuity care environment, equipped to handle urgent and life-threatening conditions 24/7. Hospital parking is available, with designated spots for emergency access, and clear signage directs patients to ER drop-off zones and parking facilities. The facility serves as a critical access point for urgent medical care within the community, integrating comprehensive hospital services to support patient needs.

What should I bring with me if I need to go to the Emergency Room where Dr. Awad works?

If you need to visit the ER, it's very helpful to bring your provincial health card and any other relevant insurance information. A complete list of your current medications (including name, dosage, and how often you take them), any known drug allergies, and a brief summary of your significant medical history (like major illnesses, past surgeries, or chronic conditions) can greatly assist Dr. Awad and the ER team. If possible, also bring contact information for your family doctor. For children, their immunization record can be useful if it's readily available.

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

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

Dr. Awad 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.

Will my family doctor be informed about my visit to the ER with Dr. Awad?

Maintaining communication with your family doctor is crucial for your ongoing health management. After your assessment and treatment by Dr. Awad 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.

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. Awad 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 primary role of an Emergency Room Doctor like Dr. Awad?

An Emergency Room Doctor, such as Dr. Awad, 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. Awad 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.

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. Awad as quickly as possible. They may also initiate some basic tests or interventions while you wait.

Hôpital Pierre-Le Gardeur
911 montée des Pionniers
Terrebonne, QC J6V 2H2

Hospital Main Line: (450) 654-7525

The hospital Emergency Department is fully accessible to all patients.

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

Verify Dr. Awad's registration with the Collège des médecins du Québec (CMQ): https://www.cmq.org/en/directory/physicians?number=19389