About
Dr. Lindsay Sarah Grant-Nunn is an experienced Emergency Physician (FRCPC), committed to delivering high-quality acute medical care to patients presenting to the Emergency Department. Practicing at the Emergency Department in Vancouver, BC, she is a key member of the frontline medical team serving the community. She adheres to the standards and guidelines set by the College of Physicians and Surgeons of British Columbia (CPSBC). Dr. Grant-Nunn's role involves the rapid assessment, diagnosis, and stabilization of a broad spectrum of urgent and emergent medical, surgical, and traumatic conditions across all age groups. This includes managing time-sensitive situations, performing necessary emergency procedures, and effectively coordinating care within the fast-paced ER environment. The Emergency Department operates 24/7 to provide urgent and life-threatening care, with patients being prioritized based on the severity of their conditions through a structured triage process.
She graduated with her MD from Dalhousie University in 2018 and holds specialty certification as an Emergency Physician (FRCPC). Dr. Grant-Nunn has completed extensive postgraduate training and holds all necessary certifications to practice emergency medicine in British Columbia, including certifications in Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS), Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS), and Advanced Trauma Life Support (ATLS). Her professional development reflects a dedication to maintaining high standards of emergency care and staying current with evolving practices and protocols.
Dr. Grant-Nunn’s professional philosophy centers on a commitment to rapid and accurate assessment in critical situations, providing compassionate and patient-centered care even under pressure. She values effective teamwork and clear communication within the multidisciplinary ER team to ensure optimal patient outcomes. Adhering to evidence-based emergency medicine protocols, she prioritizes patient safety, advocates for patient needs in acute settings, and strives to deliver timely, expert care in English. Her dedication to serving the Vancouver community is rooted in a professional approach that emphasizes reliability, competence, and compassionate emergency care.
Dr. Lindsay Grant-Nunn is experienced in assessing and managing a wide array of acute medical and surgical emergencies, including (but not limited to):
Acute Cardiovascular Conditions
Dr. Grant-Nunn manages encompassing life-threatening heart and circulatory problems frequently encountered and managed within the emergency department setting.
- 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. Grant-Nunn manages providing immediate care for patients experiencing acute respiratory distress or failure.
- COPD Exacerbation: Optimizing outpatient COPD management and providing smoking cessation advice to prevent future exacerbations.
- 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.
Trauma and Musculoskeletal Injuries
Dr. Grant-Nunn manages providing urgent medical care for a wide spectrum of injuries resulting from accidents, falls, sports, or violence, affecting bones, joints, muscles, tendons, ligaments, and soft tissues.
- Multiple Trauma / Polytrauma (Initial Stabilization and Resuscitation): Arranging for definitive surgical care or transfer to a designated trauma center as appropriate.
- Soft Tissue Injuries (e.g., Contusions, Hematomas, Sprains): Careful examination to rule out more serious underlying injuries, such as fractures, compartment syndrome, or tendon ruptures.
- 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.
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: Addressing acute deteriorations in patients with known chronic diseases, often requiring adjustment of their usual therapies.
- Diagnostic Workup for Acute Conditions: Formulating differential diagnoses for a wide range of undifferentiated acute symptoms through systematic investigation.
- Management of Acute Pain and Symptom Relief: Focusing on rapid alleviation of severe symptoms to improve patient comfort and facilitate further diagnostic or therapeutic interventions.
- Resuscitation and Stabilization of Critically Ill Patients: Implementing Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS), Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS), and Advanced Trauma Life Support (ATLS) interventions as required.
- 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.
- Diagnosis of Life-Threatening Emergencies: Expertise in diagnosing a broad spectrum of acute illnesses and injuries that present to the emergency department, including those with atypical presentations.
Note: This list outlines key areas of emergency medical care. The services provided by Dr. Grant-Nunn 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 Fairview neighbourhood is a state-of-the-art facility dedicated to providing urgent medical care in a high-acuity environment. Situated close to Vancouver Lookout and easily accessible via TransLink (SkyTrain Expo/Millennium/Canada Lines, Bus, SeaBus, West Coast Express - Waterfront), the hospital's ER is a critical access point for the community’s urgent health needs. The hospital offers convenient parking with designated spots for emergency access, and signage directs patients to ER drop-off zones and parking areas. The department is fully accessible to all patients, ensuring equitable care for everyone. As part of a comprehensive hospital system, the ER provides rapid evaluation, treatment, and stabilization for a wide range of urgent medical conditions, operating 24/7 to meet the needs of the community effectively.
- Why are wait times in the Emergency Room sometimes long?
- Emergency departments, including the one where Dr. Grant-Nunn 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. Grant-Nunn, works diligently to provide care to everyone as quickly and safely as possible.
- What should I bring with me if I need to go to the Emergency Room where Dr. Grant-Nunn 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. Grant-Nunn 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. Grant-Nunn 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. Grant-Nunn, is focused on providing immediate care for emergencies.
- What is the primary role of an Emergency Room Doctor like Dr. Grant-Nunn?
- An Emergency Room Doctor, such as Dr. Grant-Nunn, 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 Physician certified by the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada, specializing in acute care., Dr. Grant-Nunn 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.
- When should I see Dr. Grant-Nunn in the ER versus my family doctor for a health issue?
- The Emergency Room, where Dr. Grant-Nunn 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.
- Will my family doctor be informed about my visit to the ER with Dr. Grant-Nunn?
- Yes, it is standard practice for the Emergency Room, including when you are seen by Dr. Grant-Nunn, 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.
- 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. Grant-Nunn as quickly as possible. They may also initiate some basic tests or interventions while you wait.
2775 Laurel St Fl 11, Department of Emergency Medicine
Vancouver, BC V5Z 1M9
Hospital Main Line: (902) 414-6438
The hospital Emergency Department is fully accessible to all patients.
Dr. Grant-Nunn is a licensed Emergency Physician (FRCPC) 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. Grant-Nunn or the on-duty emergency team.
Verify Dr. Grant-Nunn's registration with the College of Physicians and Surgeons of British Columbia (CPSBC): https://www.cpsbc.ca/public/registrant-directory/search-result/371374/Grant-Nunn%2CLindsay