About
Dr. Kenneth Siu-Hong Lee is a specialized Pediatric Emergency Physician, dedicated to providing immediate medical care for infants, children, and adolescents in acute distress. Practicing at the Emergency Department in Vancouver, BC, he is a key member of the frontline medical team serving the community. He adheres to the standards set by the College of Physicians and Surgeons of British Columbia (CPSBC). Dr. Lee focuses on rapidly diagnosing and treating a wide range of urgent pediatric conditions, from common childhood illnesses and injuries to life-threatening emergencies. Emphasis is placed on age-appropriate assessment, family-centered communication, and minimizing distress for young patients and their families. The Pediatric Emergency Department is specially equipped and staffed to care for acutely ill and injured children and adolescents, operating 24/7. Care is prioritized based on medical urgency.
He graduated with an MD from the University of British Columbia in 2016 and holds specialty certification as a Pediatric Emergency Physician. He has completed extensive postgraduate training and maintains all necessary certifications required to practice as a Pediatric Emergency Physician in British Columbia. His qualifications underscore his commitment to providing expert emergency care for children and adolescents in the Vancouver community.
Dr. Lee’s professional philosophy centers on rapid and accurate assessment in critical situations, delivering compassionate care even under pressure. He emphasizes effective teamwork and communication within the multidisciplinary ER team, adheres strictly to evidence-based emergency medicine protocols, and always prioritizes patient safety. His approach is family-centered, aiming to minimize distress during emergencies and advocate for the needs of young patients and their families. He delivers emergency care fluently in English, with a dedicated focus on serving the pediatric population of Vancouver.
Dr. Kenneth Lee is experienced in assessing and managing a wide array of acute medical and surgical emergencies, including (but not limited to):
Specific Pediatric Emergencies
Dr. Lee manages addressing time-sensitive childhood illnesses and injuries with a focus on family-centered care in the emergency setting.
- Febrile Seizures in Children: Providing reassurance and education to parents regarding the generally benign nature of simple febrile seizures and management of fever.
- Accidental Ingestions and Poisonings in Children: Providing initial emergency management for children who have ingested potentially toxic substances, medications, household products, or foreign objects.
Acute Cardiovascular Conditions
Dr. Lee manages encompassing life-threatening heart and circulatory problems frequently encountered and managed within the emergency department setting.
- Hypertensive Emergencies: Controlled and judicious reduction of blood pressure using intravenous antihypertensive agents to prevent further complications while avoiding hypoperfusion.
- Cardiac Arrhythmias (e.g., Atrial Fibrillation with Rapid Response, Ventricular Tachycardia): Identifying and treating potential underlying causes or triggers of acute cardiac rhythm disturbances, such as electrolyte imbalances or ischemia.
- 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. Lee manages evaluating and treating sudden onset or severe worsening of breathing difficulties from various causes.
- Pulmonary Embolism: Rapid diagnostic workup (e.g., Wells score, PERC rule, D-dimer testing, CT pulmonary angiography, or V/Q scan) for patients with suspected blood clots in the lungs (PE).
- COPD Exacerbation: Careful assessment for signs of respiratory failure and the need for supplemental oxygen or ventilatory support (non-invasive or invasive).
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.
- Care for Acute Exacerbations of Chronic Diseases: Managing acute flare-ups of chronic conditions such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), congestive heart failure, diabetes (e.g., DKA, HHS), or sickle cell crisis.
- Management of Acute Pain and Symptom Relief: Administration of appropriate analgesics (opioid and non-opioid) and adjunctive medications to alleviate acute pain from injuries or medical conditions.
- Diagnostic Workup for Acute Conditions: Coordinating a comprehensive diagnostic approach, including lab and imaging, to clarify acute medical presentations.
- 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.
- Management of Common Pediatric Emergencies: Differentiating between common childhood illnesses and more serious underlying conditions requiring further investigation or admission.
- Pediatric Resuscitation (PALS/APLS): Coordinating the pediatric resuscitation team to ensure efficient and effective life-saving interventions.
Note: This list outlines key areas of emergency medical care. The services provided by Dr. Lee 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 British Columbia (CPSBC) 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 Vancouver's Shaughnessy, Arbutus Ridge South neighborhood is conveniently situated near Heritage Hall, accessible via TransLink (SkyTrain Expo/Millennium/Canada Lines, Bus, SeaBus, West Coast Express - Waterfront). The hospital's facility is fully accessible to all patients, with designated parking spots for emergency access. Follow hospital signage for ER patient drop-off and parking. The department provides a high-acuity care environment, serving as a critical access point for urgent medical care within the community and integrating seamlessly with comprehensive hospital services.
- 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. Lee, 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.
- Will my family doctor be informed about my visit to the ER with Dr. Lee?
- Yes, it is standard practice for the Emergency Room, including when you are seen by Dr. Lee, to send a detailed summary of your ER visit to your designated family doctor, provided you share their contact information during registration. This report typically includes the reason for your visit, significant findings, any treatments administered, and recommendations for follow-up. This ensures continuity of care and keeps your family doctor informed about important changes in your health status. Following up with your family doctor after an ER visit is usually recommended.
- When should I see Dr. Lee in the ER versus my family doctor for a health issue?
- The Emergency Room, where Dr. Lee 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. Lee 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. Lee, is focused on providing immediate care for emergencies.
- Why are wait times in the Emergency Room sometimes long?
- Wait times in the Emergency Room can fluctuate significantly due to several factors. The primary reason is the triage process: patients with the most severe and time-sensitive conditions are treated immediately. If many critically ill patients arrive simultaneously, or if the department is experiencing high patient volumes or staffing challenges, those with less acute problems may face longer waits. Dr. Lee and the ER staff understand that waiting can be frustrating and are committed to providing efficient care while ensuring the safety and well-being of all patients.
- What is the primary role of an Emergency Room Doctor like Dr. Lee?
- The main responsibility of an Emergency Room Doctor like Dr. Lee, a Pediatric Emergency Physician specially trained to care for acutely ill or injured children, 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.
- Does the Emergency Room where Dr. Lee works provide specialized care for children?
- Absolutely. As a Pediatric Emergency Physician specially trained to care for acutely ill or injured children, Dr. Lee focuses on the emergency medical needs of children, from newborns to teenagers. The ER environment and protocols are adapted to provide the best possible care for pediatric emergencies.
4480 Oak Street, BCCH Pediatric Emergency Department
Vancouver, BC V6H 3N1
Hospital Main Line: (604) 875-2345
The hospital Emergency Department is fully accessible to all patients.
Dr. Lee is a licensed Pediatric Emergency Physician regulated by the College of Physicians and Surgeons of British Columbia (CPSBC) under the Health Professions Act in BC. 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. Lee or the on-duty emergency team.
Verify Dr. Lee's registration with the College of Physicians and Surgeons of British Columbia (CPSBC): https://www.cpsbc.ca/public/registrant-directory/search-result/341116/Lee%2CKenneth