CCFP - Certification in the College of Family Physicians of Canada - Family Medicine
FCFP - Fellow, College of Family Physicians of Canada - Family Medicine
CCFP(EM) - Cert; Canadian College of Family Physicians (EM) - Family Medicine (Emergency Medicine)
Description
About Dr. Walter D. Hogarth
Dr. Walter D. Hogarth is an experienced Emergency Physician (CCFP-EM), committed to delivering high-quality acute medical care to patients presenting to the Emergency Department. Practicing at Walter Hogarth Clinic Red Deer in Red Deer, AB, he is a key member of the frontline medical team serving the community. He adheres to the standards and guidelines set forth by the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Alberta (CPSA). His role involves 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 effectively 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 condition through a structured triage process.
He holds a medical degree (MD) from the University of Western Ontario (1986) and is board-certified as an Emergency Physician (CCFP-EM). Dr. Hogarth also maintains key certifications including CCFP - Family Medicine, LMCC, and FCFP - Fellow of the College of Family Physicians of Canada, with additional credentials in emergency medicine. These certifications reflect his dedication to maintaining the highest standards of medical practice and ongoing professional development in emergency care.
Dr. Hogarth’s professional philosophy centers on providing rapid and accurate assessment in critical situations, delivering compassionate care under pressure, and ensuring effective teamwork and communication within the multidisciplinary ER team. He is committed to adhering to evidence-based emergency medicine protocols, prioritizing patient safety, and advocating for patient needs in acute settings. His dedication is to serve the community of Red Deer by offering prompt, compassionate, and comprehensive emergency care, delivered in English.
Types of Emergencies Addressed by Dr. Walter Hogarth
Dr. Walter Hogarth is experienced in assessing and managing a wide array of acute medical and surgical emergencies, including (but not limited to):
Trauma and Musculoskeletal Injuries
Dr. Hogarth manages specializing in the initial resuscitation and care of patients with significant or multiple traumatic injuries.
- Multiple Trauma / Polytrauma (Initial Stabilization and Resuscitation): Arranging for definitive surgical care or transfer to a designated trauma center as appropriate.
- Head Trauma / Concussion (Mild Traumatic Brain Injury): Prompt recognition and stabilization of patients with more severe traumatic brain injuries (e.g., intracranial hemorrhage, diffuse axonal injury), including measures to manage increased intracranial pressure and rapid coordination with neurosurgical and critical care teams.
- Soft Tissue Injuries (e.g., Contusions, Hematomas, Sprains): Providing advice on the principles of RICE (Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation) and appropriate analgesia for acute soft tissue injuries.
Acute Cardiovascular Conditions
Dr. Hogarth manages involving sudden and critical conditions affecting the heart and blood vessels that require immediate medical attention and intervention.
- 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.
- Hypertensive Emergencies: Urgent management of severely elevated blood pressure (hypertensive crisis) associated with evidence of acute or ongoing end-organ damage (e.g., encephalopathy, stroke, myocardial ischemia, acute kidney injury).
- 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.
Acute Respiratory Conditions
Dr. Hogarth manages addressing critical illnesses of the airways and lungs that are frequently encountered and stabilized in the emergency department.
- Asthma Exacerbation / Status Asthmaticus: Assessing severity of exacerbation using objective measures like peak expiratory flow rate.
- Pneumonia (Severe or Complicated): Management of pneumonia complications such as empyema, lung abscess, significant pleural effusion, or acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS).
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.
Emergency Medical Services Provided by Dr. Walter D. Hogarth
- Rapid Triage and Initial Medical Assessment: Initial history taking, focused physical examination, and vital signs assessment for emergent and urgent conditions upon arrival.
- Diagnosis of Life-Threatening Emergencies: Identifying and initiating immediate management for critical conditions such as acute myocardial infarction (heart attack), stroke (CVA), severe infections (sepsis), and acute respiratory failure.
- 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: Application of evidence-based resuscitation protocols to optimize outcomes for critically ill and injured patients.
- Diagnostic Workup for Acute Conditions: Formulating differential diagnoses for a wide range of undifferentiated acute symptoms through systematic investigation.
- Treatment of Acute Infections and Sepsis: Administering appropriate antimicrobial agents for a wide range of bacterial, viral, and fungal infections presenting emergently.
Note: This list outlines key areas of emergency medical care. The services provided by Dr. Hogarth 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 Alberta (CPSA) and relevant CAEP (Canadian Association of Emergency Physicians) and relevant acute care guidelines. Emergency care is prioritized based on medical urgency.
Emergency Department Location
Walter Hogarth Clinic Red Deer is situated in the North Red Deer (Normandeau, Highland Green) neighbourhood of Red Deer, AB. The clinic is conveniently located near Parkland Mall, accessible via public transportation such as Red Deer Transit. The hospital's Emergency Department is a vital access point for urgent medical needs within the community, offering comprehensive emergency services in a high-acuity environment. Ample hospital parking is available, with designated spots for emergency access. Patients are advised to follow hospital signage for ER patient drop-off and parking. The facility is fully accessible to all patients and integrated with the hospital's extensive health services, ensuring prompt and effective emergency care.
Frequently Asked Questions about Emergency Care
- What is the primary role of an Emergency Room Doctor like Dr. Hogarth?
- Dr. Hogarth, as a an Emergency Physician with certification from the College of Family Physicians of Canada in Emergency Medicine, skilled in managing urgent medical conditions., specializes in emergency medicine. This field focuses on the immediate decision-making and action necessary to prevent death or further disability both in the pre-hospital setting (by directing emergency medical services) and in the emergency department. Their primary focus is on diagnosing undifferentiated acute conditions, resuscitating and stabilizing patients who are critically ill or injured, providing pain relief and symptom control, and coordinating comprehensive care for a diverse patient population presenting with urgent medical needs.
- Will my family doctor be informed about my visit to the ER with Dr. Hogarth?
- Maintaining communication with your family doctor is crucial for your ongoing health management. After your assessment and treatment by Dr. Hogarth 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 see Dr. Hogarth in the ER versus my family doctor for a health issue?
- The Emergency Room, where Dr. Hogarth 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.
- 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. Hogarth 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 go to the Emergency Room (ER) where Dr. Hogarth 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. Hogarth, is focused on providing immediate care for emergencies.
Emergency Department & Licensing Information
Walter Hogarth Clinic Red Deer
3942 50A Ave, Emergency Department
Red Deer, AB T4N 4E7
Hospital Main Line: (403) 343-4444
The hospital Emergency Department is fully accessible to all patients.
Dr. Hogarth is a licensed Emergency Physician (CCFP-EM) regulated by the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Alberta (CPSA) under the Health Professions Act in AB. 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. Hogarth or the on-duty emergency team.
Verify Dr. Hogarth's registration with the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Alberta (CPSA): https://search.cpsa.ca/PhysicianProfile?e=c4568d08-9f70-4b8a-bf8e-066d87d94079&i=629