Dr. Shavaun Irene MacDonald is an experienced Emergency and Critical Care Physician, committed to delivering high-quality acute medical care to patients presenting to the Emergency Department. Practicing in Victoria, BC, she is a key member of the frontline medical team serving the community. Her practice adheres to the standards set by the College of Physicians and Surgeons of British Columbia (CPSBC). She 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. She also brings expertise in critical care medicine, enhancing the management of severely ill patients in the ER. The Emergency Department operates 24/7 to provide urgent and life-threatening condition care. Patients are seen based on the severity of their condition, as determined by a triage process.
Dr. MacDonald graduated with an MD from the University of Ottawa in 2004. She holds specialty certification as an Emergency and Critical Care Physician, having completed extensive post-graduate training and acquiring the necessary certifications to practice in British Columbia. Her certifications include certification from the College of Physicians and Surgeons of British Columbia (CPSBC) and relevant emergency medicine accreditation, ensuring she maintains the highest standards of practice.
Her professional philosophy centers on providing rapid and accurate assessment in critical situations, delivering compassionate care under pressure, and fostering effective teamwork and communication within the multidisciplinary ER team. Dr. MacDonald is committed to adhering to evidence-based emergency medicine protocols, prioritizing patient safety, and advocating for patient needs in acute settings. She is dedicated to delivering compassionate, efficient emergency care to the community of Victoria, ensuring every patient receives prompt and competent treatment in English.
Dr. Shavaun MacDonald is experienced in assessing and managing a wide array of acute medical and surgical emergencies, including (but not limited to):
Acute Respiratory Conditions
Dr. MacDonald manages addressing critical illnesses of the airways and lungs that are frequently encountered and stabilized in the emergency department.
- COPD Exacerbation: Ensuring appropriate follow-up care post-discharge from the ER.
- Acute Shortness of Breath (Dyspnea): Systematic differential diagnosis of dyspnea, considering cardiac, pulmonary, neuromuscular, metabolic, and psychogenic etiologies.
- Pneumonia (Severe or Complicated): Selection of appropriate empiric and targeted antibiotic therapy based on severity, risk factors, and local pathogen susceptibility patterns, along with supportive care.
Acute Cardiovascular Conditions
Dr. MacDonald manages addressing emergent conditions of the cardiovascular system that can lead to significant morbidity or mortality if not promptly diagnosed and treated.
- Cardiac Arrhythmias (e.g., Atrial Fibrillation with Rapid Response, Ventricular Tachycardia): Providing immediate care for patients at risk of cardiac arrest due to arrhythmias.
- Chest Pain (e.g., suspected Acute Coronary Syndrome, Myocardial Infarction): Swift investigation and stabilization for patients with symptoms suggestive of ischemic heart disease.
- Acute Heart Failure Exacerbation: Stabilization of patients with decompensated heart failure using intravenous diuretics, vasodilators, supplemental oxygen, and non-invasive positive pressure ventilation if required.
Trauma and Musculoskeletal Injuries
Dr. MacDonald manages offering immediate assessment, pain management, and stabilization for various physical injuries encountered in the emergency department setting.
- 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.
- Minor and Major Lacerations, Abrasions, and Burns: Initial management of first, second, and some third-degree thermal, chemical, or electrical burns, including cooling, pain control, and dressing application.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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: Rapid recognition and differentiation of time-sensitive medical emergencies requiring prompt, often life-saving, intervention.
- Diagnostic Workup for Acute Conditions: Ordering and interpreting urgent laboratory tests (blood work, urinalysis, cardiac markers, etc.) and imaging studies (X-rays, CT scans, ultrasounds).
- Resuscitation and Stabilization of Critically Ill Patients: Leading and coordinating resuscitation efforts for patients in cardiac arrest, shock, or severe respiratory distress.
Note: This list outlines key areas of emergency medical care. The services provided by Dr. MacDonald 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 is situated in the heart of Victoria's Fairfield East, Oaklands neighborhood. It is conveniently accessible via the Victoria Regional Transit System (BC Transit), with clear signage guiding patients to the ER entrance. The hospital's Emergency Department is fully accessible to all patients, with designated parking spots for emergency access. Ample hospital parking is available, with specific zones reserved for emergency drop-off and pick-up. Visitors are advised to follow hospital signage for ER patient drop-off and parking. The ER serves as a critical access point for urgent medical care within the community, integrating seamlessly with comprehensive hospital services to provide prompt, high-quality emergency care around the clock.
- Will my family doctor be informed about my visit to the ER with Dr. MacDonald?
- Yes, it is standard practice for the Emergency Room, including when you are seen by Dr. MacDonald, 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 go to the Emergency Room (ER) where Dr. MacDonald 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. MacDonald 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.
- When should I see Dr. MacDonald in the ER versus my family doctor for a health issue?
- Dr. MacDonald 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.
- What should I bring with me if I need to go to the Emergency Room where Dr. MacDonald 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. MacDonald 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.
- What is the primary role of an Emergency Room Doctor like Dr. MacDonald?
- The main responsibility of an Emergency Room Doctor like Dr. MacDonald, a trained emergency medicine specialist, 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.
- 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. MacDonald as quickly as possible. They may also initiate some basic tests or interventions while you wait.
1952 Bay St, Adult Critical Care, Royal Jubilee Hospital
Victoria, BC V8R 1J8
Hospital Main Line: (250) 370-8000
The hospital Emergency Department is fully accessible to all patients.
Dr. MacDonald is a licensed Emergency and Critical Care 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. MacDonald or the on-duty emergency team.
Verify Dr. MacDonald's registration with the College of Physicians and Surgeons of British Columbia (CPSBC): https://www.cpsbc.ca/public/registrant-directory/search-result/341490/MacDonald%2CShavaun