About
Dr. Jean-Simon Létourneau is an experienced Emergency Room Doctor, committed to delivering high-quality acute medical care to patients presenting to the Emergency Department. Practicing at Hôtel-Dieu de Lévis in Lévis, QC, he is a key member of the frontline medical team serving the community. His practice adheres strictly to the standards set by the Collège des médecins du Québec (CMQ). He 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. Létourneau holds a Medical Degree from a recognized institution and has accumulated over 6 years of experience as an Emergency Room Doctor since 2018. He has completed extensive post-graduate training and holds the necessary certifications to practice emergency medicine in Quebec. His ongoing professional development ensures that he remains current with the latest protocols and best practices in emergency care, allowing him to provide safe and effective treatment to all patients.
Guided by a philosophy of rapid and accurate assessment in critical situations, Dr. Létourneau is dedicated to providing compassionate care under pressure. He emphasizes effective teamwork and communication within the multidisciplinary ER team to ensure optimal patient outcomes. Adhering to evidence-based emergency medicine protocols, he prioritizes patient safety and advocates for patient needs in acute settings. Dr. Létourneau is committed to serving the community of Lévis through his dedicated emergency medical services in French and English, ensuring timely and competent care for all who seek his assistance.
Dr. Jean-Simon Létourneau is experienced in assessing and managing a wide array of acute medical and surgical emergencies, including (but not limited to):
Acute Cardiovascular Conditions
Dr. Létourneau manages encompassing life-threatening heart and circulatory problems frequently encountered and managed within the emergency department setting.
- Hypertensive Emergencies: Differentiating hypertensive emergency from hypertensive urgency.
- 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.
- Aortic Dissection / Aneurysm (Suspected): Rapid diagnostic workup, often involving CT angiography, for patients with symptoms suggestive of life-threatening aortic conditions such as dissection or rupture.
Acute Respiratory Conditions
Dr. Létourneau manages managing urgent conditions that significantly impair breathing and lung function, demanding prompt and effective medical intervention.
- 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.
- COPD Exacerbation: Optimizing outpatient COPD management and providing smoking cessation advice to prevent future exacerbations.
Trauma and Musculoskeletal Injuries
Dr. Létourneau manages specializing in the initial resuscitation and care of patients with significant or multiple traumatic injuries.
- 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.
- Soft Tissue Injuries (e.g., Contusions, Hematomas, Sprains): Determining the need for further imaging or specialist follow-up based on the severity and nature of the injury.
- Fractures, Dislocations, and Sprains/Strains: Accurate diagnosis of bone fractures and joint dislocations using thorough physical examination, patient history, and appropriate imaging studies (X-rays, occasionally CT or ultrasound).
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.
- Management of Acute Pain and Symptom Relief: Utilizing a multimodal approach to pain management, including regional nerve blocks and procedural sedation when appropriate for the emergency setting.
- Management of Head Injuries and Concussions: Rapidly recognizing and stabilizing patients with more severe traumatic brain injuries, including management of increased intracranial pressure and coordination with neurosurgical services.
- Lumbar Puncture (Spinal Tap): Managing potential complications like post-LP headache.
- Initial Assessment and Management of Traumatic Injuries: Rapid evaluation, resuscitation, and stabilization of patients with single or multiple injuries from accidents, falls, assaults, or other traumatic events.
- Chest Tube Insertion (Tube Thoracostomy): Confirming tube placement and lung re-expansion with imaging.
- 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. Létourneau 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.
Hôtel-Dieu de Lévis is situated in Lévis's Lévis Centre, Lauzon neighborhood, serving as a vital healthcare hub for the community. The hospital is easily accessible via public transportation, including Société de transport de Lévis (STLévis), and features ample hospital parking with designated spots for emergency access. The Emergency Department is located within the hospital complex, which is fully accessible to all patients. The facility is in close proximity to Historic Old Lévis, making it a convenient and reliable point of access for urgent medical needs. Clear hospital signage directs patients to ER patient drop-off zones and parking areas. As a critical access point for urgent medical care, the hospital provides comprehensive services within a modern, well-equipped environment, ensuring prompt and efficient treatment for those in need.
- When should I go to the Emergency Room (ER) where Dr. Létourneau 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. Létourneau, is focused on providing immediate care for emergencies.
- Will my family doctor be informed about my visit to the ER with Dr. Létourneau?
- Maintaining communication with your family doctor is crucial for your ongoing health management. After your assessment and treatment by Dr. Létourneau 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.
- What should I bring with me if I need to go to the Emergency Room where Dr. Létourneau works?
- To help Dr. Létourneau and the ER staff provide the best care, please bring your government-issued health card. A list of all medications you take, including prescriptions, over-the-counter drugs, vitamins, and herbal supplements, is also vital. Knowing your allergies and any chronic health conditions or previous major surgeries will also help the team. If you regularly see other specialists, their contact information might also be useful.
- When should I see Dr. Létourneau in the ER versus my family doctor for a health issue?
- Dr. Létourneau 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. Létourneau 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.
Hôtel-Dieu de Lévis
143 rue Wolfe
Lévis, QC G6V 3Z1
Hospital Main Line: (418) 835-7121
The hospital Emergency Department is fully accessible to all patients.
Dr. Létourneau 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. Létourneau or the on-duty emergency team.
Verify Dr. Létourneau's registration with the Collège des médecins du Québec (CMQ): https://www.cmq.org/en/directory/physicians?number=18600