Dr. Jennifer May Thompson 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 Hamilton, ON, she is a key member of the frontline medical team serving the community. She adheres to the standards set by the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario (CPSO). Her 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.
Dr. Thompson graduated with a Medical Degree from McMaster University in Canada. She has over 8 years of experience as an Emergency Room Doctor, having been practicing since 2016. She is recognized as a RCPSC Specialist by the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario (CPSO), ensuring adherence to the highest standards of emergency medical practice and patient safety.
Her professional philosophy centers on delivering rapid and accurate assessments in critical situations, providing compassionate care under pressure, and fostering effective teamwork and communication within the multidisciplinary ER team. Dr. Thompson is dedicated to evidence-based emergency medicine protocols, prioritizing patient safety, and advocating for the needs of her patients in urgent settings. She delivers emergency care fluently in English, serving the diverse community of Hamilton with professionalism and compassion.
Dr. Jennifer Thompson is experienced in assessing and managing a wide array of acute medical and surgical emergencies, including (but not limited to):
Acute Cardiovascular Conditions
Dr. Thompson manages related to urgent cardiac or vascular issues, such as acute chest pain, suspected heart attacks, severe arrhythmias, and hypertensive crises.
- Hypertensive Emergencies: Controlled and judicious reduction of blood pressure using intravenous antihypertensive agents to prevent further complications while avoiding hypoperfusion.
- 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 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.
Acute Respiratory Conditions
Dr. Thompson manages addressing critical illnesses of the airways and lungs that are frequently encountered and stabilized in the emergency department.
- Asthma Exacerbation / Status Asthmaticus: Assessing severity of exacerbation using objective measures like peak expiratory flow rate.
- Pulmonary Embolism: Risk stratification of PE to guide treatment intensity and disposition.
- 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. Thompson manages managing acute fractures, dislocations, sprains, strains, open wounds, and other traumatic conditions with a focus on preventing complications and promoting healing.
- 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).
- Multiple Trauma / Polytrauma (Initial Stabilization and Resuscitation): Effective coordination of the multidisciplinary trauma team, including surgeons, anesthesiologists, radiologists, and nursing staff, to ensure timely and comprehensive care.
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.
- Fracture and Dislocation Management (Initial): Arranging timely orthopedic consultation or transfer for definitive fracture management, complex reductions, or surgical intervention.
- Diagnosis of Life-Threatening Emergencies: Rapid recognition and differentiation of time-sensitive medical emergencies requiring prompt, often life-saving, intervention.
- Central Venous Access and Arterial Line Placement: Proficient placement of arterial lines for continuous, real-time blood pressure monitoring and frequent arterial blood gas analysis in unstable patients.
- Management of Head Injuries and Concussions: Assessing for associated cervical spine injuries in patients with head trauma.
- Management of Acute Pain and Symptom Relief: Prompt and effective symptom control for distressing conditions such as severe nausea, vomiting, acute shortness of breath, or systemic allergic reactions.
- Chest Tube Insertion (Tube Thoracostomy): Providing analgesia and monitoring for complications post-procedure.
Note: This list outlines key areas of emergency medical care. The services provided by Dr. Thompson 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 in Hamilton's North End, Beasley neighborhood, provides critical urgent care services within a comprehensive hospital setting. Situated conveniently near the Hamilton GO Centre and accessible via Hamilton Street Railway (HSR), the ER is easily reachable for patients in need of immediate medical attention. The hospital's ER is fully accessible to all patients, featuring designated parking spots for emergency access. Patients are directed to follow hospital signage for ER patient drop-off and parking. The facility serves as a vital access point for urgent medical care within the Hamilton community, integrating seamlessly with other hospital services to ensure comprehensive patient management around the clock.
- Will my family doctor be informed about my visit to the ER with Dr. Thompson?
- Maintaining communication with your family doctor is crucial for your ongoing health management. After your assessment and treatment by Dr. Thompson 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?
- Emergency departments, including the one where Dr. Thompson 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. Thompson, works diligently to provide care to everyone as quickly and safely as possible.
- What is the primary role of an Emergency Room Doctor like Dr. Thompson?
- Dr. Thompson, 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.
- When should I see Dr. Thompson in the ER versus my family doctor for a health issue?
- Dr. Thompson 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. Thompson 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. Thompson, is focused on providing immediate care for emergencies.
- 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. Thompson as quickly as possible. They may also initiate some basic tests or interventions while you wait.
- What should I bring with me if I need to go to the Emergency Room where Dr. Thompson works?
- To help Dr. Thompson 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.
237 Barton Street East
Hamilton, ON L8L 2X2
Hospital Main Line: (905) 521-2100
The hospital Emergency Department is fully accessible to all patients.
Dr. Thompson 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. Thompson or the on-duty emergency team.
Verify Dr. Thompson's registration with the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario (CPSO): https://doctors.cpso.on.ca/DoctorDetails/Thompson-Jennifer-May/0272734-96062