About
Dr. Nathaniel Murray is an experienced Emergency Room Doctor, committed to delivering high-quality acute medical care to patients presenting to the Emergency Department. Practicing at Postgraduate Emergency Medicine in Thunder Bay, ON, 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 Ontario (CPSO). Dr. Murray's 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. 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.
He graduated with a Medical Degree from the Northern Ontario School of Medicine in Canada and has been practicing as an Emergency Room Doctor since 2024. Dr. Murray is recognized as a RCPSC Specialist by the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario (CPSO). His medical training and certifications ensure adherence to the highest standards of emergency care and patient safety.
Dr. Murray's professional philosophy emphasizes the importance of rapid and accurate assessment in critical situations, providing compassionate care under pressure, and fostering effective teamwork and communication within the multidisciplinary ER team. He is dedicated to evidence-based emergency medicine protocols, prioritizing patient safety, and advocating for patient needs in acute settings. His commitment is to deliver efficient, patient-centered emergency care to the community of Thunder Bay. He provides emergency care services in English, ensuring clear communication with patients and their families.
Dr. Nathaniel Murray is experienced in assessing and managing a wide array of acute medical and surgical emergencies, including (but not limited to):
Acute Cardiovascular Conditions
Dr. Murray manages involving sudden and critical conditions affecting the heart and blood vessels that require immediate medical attention and intervention.
- Hypertensive Emergencies: Differentiating hypertensive emergency from hypertensive urgency.
- 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. Murray manages evaluating and treating sudden onset or severe worsening of breathing difficulties from various causes.
- Pulmonary Embolism: Providing patient education on anticoagulation and follow-up post-diagnosis.
- COPD Exacerbation: Management of acute worsening of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), characterized by increased dyspnea, cough, and sputum production, often requiring bronchodilators, systemic corticosteroids, and antibiotics if bacterial infection is suspected.
Trauma and Musculoskeletal Injuries
Dr. Murray 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.
- Head Trauma / Concussion (Mild Traumatic Brain Injury): Providing anticipatory guidance regarding potential post-concussive symptoms and when to seek further medical attention.
- Multiple Trauma / Polytrauma (Initial Stabilization and Resuscitation): Systematic and prioritized trauma assessment following Advanced Trauma Life Support (ATLS) protocols to rapidly identify and address immediate life-threatening conditions (e.g., airway obstruction, tension pneumothorax, massive hemorrhage).
- Minor and Major Lacerations, Abrasions, and Burns: Providing appropriate analgesia and ensuring follow-up for wound checks or suture removal.
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.
- Central Venous Access and Arterial Line Placement: Often utilizing ultrasound guidance to improve success rates and reduce complications during vascular access procedures.
- 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: Employing rapid diagnostic tools and protocols to efficiently evaluate patients with urgent health concerns.
- Chest Tube Insertion (Tube Thoracostomy): Providing analgesia and monitoring for complications post-procedure.
- Rapid Triage and Initial Medical Assessment: Immediate evaluation of patients presenting to the emergency department to determine urgency and prioritize care based on acuity.
- Management of Head Injuries and Concussions: Providing anticipatory guidance regarding potential post-concussive symptoms.
Note: This list outlines key areas of emergency medical care. The services provided by Dr. Murray 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.
Postgraduate Emergency Medicine is situated in Thunder Bay's Port Arthur Central (Downtown North Core, Waterfront area) neighborhood. The Emergency Department is conveniently located near the Commercial Corridor and is easily accessible by Thunder Bay Transit. The hospital parking lot offers designated spots for emergency access, with clear signage directing ER patient drop-off and parking. The hospital's Emergency Department is fully accessible to all patients and is equipped to handle high-acuity cases. It serves as a critical access point for urgent medical care within the community, functioning as part of a comprehensive hospital facility that provides a wide range of health services.
- 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. Murray as quickly as possible. They may also initiate some basic tests or interventions while you wait.
- What is the primary role of an Emergency Room Doctor like Dr. Murray?
- An Emergency Room Doctor, such as Dr. Murray, 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. Murray 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.
- 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. Murray 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.
- When should I see Dr. Murray in the ER versus my family doctor for a health issue?
- The Emergency Room, where Dr. Murray 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. Murray?
- Maintaining communication with your family doctor is crucial for your ongoing health management. After your assessment and treatment by Dr. Murray 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.
- When should I go to the Emergency Room (ER) where Dr. Murray works, versus seeing my family doctor or going to a walk-in clinic?
- Deciding between the ER and other care options depends on severity. The Emergency Room is the correct place for acute, potentially severe conditions like difficulty breathing, chest pain, signs of a stroke, major trauma, severe allergic reactions, or uncontrolled bleeding. For ongoing health issues, minor ailments, or routine care, your family doctor offers continuity. Walk-in clinics can handle less severe acute issues. Dr. Murray and the ER staff are prepared for urgent and life-threatening situations; using the ER appropriately helps ensure timely care for those who need it most. If in doubt about a serious condition, seek emergency assessment.
- What should I bring with me if I need to go to the Emergency Room where Dr. Murray works?
- When coming to the Emergency Room, please ensure you have your health insurance card (e.g., OHIP, AHCIP, MSP, RAMQ card). It's also extremely beneficial for Dr. Murray and the medical team if you can provide an accurate list of all medications you are currently taking (including over-the-counter drugs and supplements), a list of any allergies you have, and details of any important past medical conditions or surgeries. If you are accompanying someone else, try to have this information for them.
Room 252, 980 Oliver Road, McMaster Wing Hamilton General Hospital
Thunder Bay, ON P7B 6V4
Hospital Main Line: (807) 684-6000
The hospital Emergency Department is fully accessible to all patients.
Dr. Murray 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. Murray or the on-duty emergency team.
Verify Dr. Murray's registration with the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario (CPSO): https://doctors.cpso.on.ca/DoctorDetails/Murray-Nathaniel/0327963-118634