About
Dr. Véronique Castonguay is an experienced Emergency Room Doctor, committed to delivering high-quality acute medical care to patients presenting to the Emergency Department. Practicing at Hôpital Sacré-Coeur de Montréal in Montréal, QC, she is a key member of the frontline medical team serving the community. She adheres to the high standards set by the Collège des médecins du Québec (CMQ). 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.
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. Dr. Castonguay’s role is vital in ensuring that each patient receives prompt and appropriate care tailored to their needs, often under high-pressure circumstances, with a focus on safety and efficiency.
With a comprehensive understanding of emergency medicine, Dr. Castonguay provides compassionate, evidence-based care to her patients. She values effective communication, teamwork, and a patient-centered approach. Her dedication is to serve the Montréal community by offering urgent medical services in French, ensuring clear and empathetic communication with all patients in need.
Dr. Véronique Castonguay is experienced in assessing and managing a wide array of acute medical and surgical emergencies, including (but not limited to):
Acute Cardiovascular Conditions
Dr. Castonguay 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.
- Chest Pain (e.g., suspected Acute Coronary Syndrome, Myocardial Infarction): Initial emergency management of acute coronary syndromes, including EKG interpretation, timely administration of aspirin and antiplatelet agents, cardiac biomarker assessment, and reperfusion strategies if indicated.
- Cardiac Arrhythmias (e.g., Atrial Fibrillation with Rapid Response, Ventricular Tachycardia): Utilizing advanced EKG interpretation skills for accurate arrhythmia diagnosis.
Acute Respiratory Conditions
Dr. Castonguay manages addressing critical illnesses of the airways and lungs that are frequently encountered and stabilized in the emergency department.
- Pulmonary Embolism: Prompt initiation of anticoagulation therapy for confirmed PE, or thrombolytic therapy for hemodynamically unstable (massive) PE.
- 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.
Trauma and Musculoskeletal Injuries
Dr. Castonguay manages offering immediate assessment, pain management, and stabilization for various physical injuries encountered in the emergency department setting.
- 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: Evaluation and care for abrasions and puncture wounds, including foreign body assessment.
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.
- Treatment of Acute Infections and Sepsis: Vigilant monitoring and supportive care for patients with severe infections, including fluid management and organ support.
- Chest Tube Insertion (Tube Thoracostomy): Providing analgesia and monitoring for complications post-procedure.
- Diagnosis of Life-Threatening Emergencies: Rapid recognition and differentiation of time-sensitive medical emergencies requiring prompt, often life-saving, intervention.
- Procedural Sedation and Analgesia (PSA): Providing varying depths of sedation tailored to the specific procedure and patient needs.
- Management of Head Injuries and Concussions: Rapidly recognizing and stabilizing patients with more severe traumatic brain injuries, including management of increased intracranial pressure and coordination with neurosurgical services.
- Diagnostic Workup for Acute Conditions: Employing rapid diagnostic tools and protocols to efficiently evaluate patients with urgent health concerns.
Note: This list outlines key areas of emergency medical care. The services provided by Dr. Castonguay 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.
Hôpital Sacré-Coeur de Montréal is situated in the vibrant neighborhood of Cartierville North in Montréal, QC. The hospital is conveniently located near the Société des arts technologiques (SAT), accessible via the Société de transport de Montréal (STM) with options including Métro and Bus routes. The Emergency Department is housed within a modern, fully accessible hospital facility that offers comprehensive emergency services 24/7. Patients can find designated parking spots for emergency access, with clear signage directing ER patient drop-off and parking areas. The hospital serves as a critical access point for urgent medical care for the local community and is integrated with a full range of hospital services to support patient recovery and ongoing health management.
- When should I go to the Emergency Room (ER) where Dr. Castonguay 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. Castonguay, is focused on providing immediate care for emergencies.
- 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. Castonguay 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. Castonguay in the ER versus my family doctor for a health issue?
- Dr. Castonguay 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.
- Will my family doctor be informed about my visit to the ER with Dr. Castonguay?
- Yes, it is standard practice for the Emergency Room, including when you are seen by Dr. Castonguay, 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 should I bring with me if I need to go to the Emergency Room where Dr. Castonguay 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. Castonguay 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.
Hôpital Sacré-Coeur de Montréal
5400 boul Gouin O
Montréal, QC H4J 1C5
Hospital Main Line: (514) 338-2222
The hospital Emergency Department is fully accessible to all patients.
Dr. Castonguay 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. Castonguay or the on-duty emergency team.
Verify Dr. Castonguay's registration with the Collège des médecins du Québec (CMQ): https://www.cmq.org/en/directory/physicians?number=13239