About
Dr. Valérie Bruneau is an experienced Emergency Room Doctor, committed to delivering high-quality acute medical care to patients presenting to the Emergency Department. Practicing at Centre hospitalier Pierre-Le Gardeur in Terrebonne, QC, she is a key member of the frontline medical team serving the community. She adheres to the standards set by the Collège des médecins du Québec (CMQ). Her 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 coordinating care efficiently within the fast-paced ER environment. The Emergency Department operates 24/7 to provide urgent and life-threatening care. Patients are seen based on the severity of their condition, as determined by a triage process.
Dr. Bruneau holds a Medical Degree from a recognized institution and has accumulated over five years of experience as an Emergency Room Doctor since 2019. She has completed extensive post-graduate training and holds the necessary certifications to practice emergency medicine in Quebec, ensuring her expertise aligns with provincial and national standards for acute care.
Her professional philosophy centers on providing rapid, accurate assessments in critical situations while maintaining compassionate care under pressure. She emphasizes effective teamwork and communication within the multidisciplinary ER team, strictly adheres to evidence-based emergency medicine protocols, and prioritizes patient safety. Dr. Bruneau is dedicated to serving the community of Terrebonne by delivering timely, efficient, and patient-centered emergency medical services in French.
Dr. Valérie Bruneau is experienced in assessing and managing a wide array of acute medical and surgical emergencies, including (but not limited to):
Acute Cardiovascular Conditions
Dr. Bruneau manages focusing on the rapid stabilization of patients experiencing acute cardiac distress or vascular compromise.
- Acute Heart Failure Exacerbation: Coordinating with cardiology for ongoing management post-stabilization.
- Cardiac Arrhythmias (e.g., Atrial Fibrillation with Rapid Response, Ventricular Tachycardia): Stabilization of patients presenting with symptomatic or life-threatening tachyarrhythmias (e.g., VT, SVT) or bradyarrhythmias (e.g., complete heart block).
- Hypertensive Emergencies: Identifying and addressing potential underlying causes of acute severe hypertension and arranging appropriate follow-up.
Acute Respiratory Conditions
Dr. Bruneau manages evaluating and treating sudden onset or severe worsening of breathing difficulties from various causes.
- Acute Shortness of Breath (Dyspnea): Systematic differential diagnosis of dyspnea, considering cardiac, pulmonary, neuromuscular, metabolic, and psychogenic etiologies.
- Asthma Exacerbation / Status Asthmaticus: Aggressive and protocol-driven management of severe asthma attacks, including frequent administration of inhaled bronchodilators (beta-agonists and anticholinergics), systemic corticosteroids, and supplemental oxygen.
Trauma and Musculoskeletal Injuries
Dr. Bruneau 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.
- 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: Evaluation and care for abrasions and puncture wounds, including foreign body assessment.
- Multiple Trauma / Polytrauma (Initial Stabilization and Resuscitation): Arranging for definitive surgical care or transfer to a designated trauma center as appropriate.
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.
- Procedural Sedation and Analgesia (PSA): Utilizing established protocols and reversal agents as needed to ensure patient safety during and after PSA.
- Lumbar Puncture (Spinal Tap): Interpreting initial CSF findings (e.g., cell count, glucose, protein) in the emergency setting to guide immediate treatment.
- Chest Tube Insertion (Tube Thoracostomy): Surgical skill in performing chest tube insertion and managing the drainage system.
- Diagnosis of Life-Threatening Emergencies: Applying advanced diagnostic reasoning to quickly pinpoint life-threatening conditions amidst complex clinical pictures.
- Rapid Triage and Initial Medical Assessment: Quick and focused assessment of acute medical, surgical, or traumatic conditions to initiate timely diagnostic pathways.
- Initial Assessment and Management of Traumatic Injuries: Expert assessment of injury mechanisms and patterns to guide diagnostic imaging and management strategies.
Note: This list outlines key areas of emergency medical care. The services provided by Dr. Bruneau 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 Collège des médecins du Québec (CMQ) and relevant CAEP (Canadian Association of Emergency Physicians) and relevant acute care guidelines. Emergency care is prioritized based on medical urgency.
Centre hospitalier Pierre-Le Gardeur is situated in Terrebonne's Terrebonne West neighborhood, near the Laval border. The hospital is accessible via Arterial Road and is well-connected through exo (Secteur Terrebonne-Mascouche), facilitating easy access for patients from the surrounding regions. The Emergency Department is located within the hospital complex, with clear signage directing patients for ER drop-off and parking. The facility features dedicated parking spots for emergency access, and the hospital's ER is fully accessible to all patients. As a critical access point for urgent medical care, the Emergency Department plays a vital role in the community, providing comprehensive emergency services around the clock within a high-acuity care environment. The hospital also offers other specialized services and departments to support patient needs.
- When should I go to the Emergency Room (ER) where Dr. Bruneau 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. Bruneau, is focused on providing immediate care for emergencies.
- When should I see Dr. Bruneau in the ER versus my family doctor for a health issue?
- The Emergency Room, where Dr. Bruneau 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.
- 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. Bruneau as quickly as possible. They may also initiate some basic tests or interventions while you wait.
- 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. Bruneau 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.
- Will my family doctor be informed about my visit to the ER with Dr. Bruneau?
- Yes, it is standard practice for the Emergency Room, including when you are seen by Dr. Bruneau, 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 primary role of an Emergency Room Doctor like Dr. Bruneau?
- An Emergency Room Doctor, such as Dr. Bruneau, 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 trained Emergency Room Doctor, Dr. Bruneau 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.
Centre hospitalier Pierre-Le Gardeur
911 montée des Pionniers
Terrebonne, QC J6V 2H2
Hospital Main Line: (450) 654-7525
The hospital Emergency Department is fully accessible to all patients.
Dr. Bruneau is a licensed Emergency Room Doctor regulated by the Collège des médecins du Québec (CMQ) under the Medical Act in QC. 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. Bruneau or the on-duty emergency team.
Verify Dr. Bruneau's registration with the Collège des médecins du Québec (CMQ): https://www.cmq.org/en/directory/physicians?number=19290