Investigations

  • Always include on the request form the contact details of the patient’s usual treating doctor (e.g. GP) and/or the doctor who will be following up the result
  • Give detailed clinical information
  • Be clear what tests you are requesting

Radiology

Non-urgent imaging can be performed the next day at TSH or private radiology practices

E.g. ultrasound for threatened miscarriage, DVT; knee MRI

  • Give the patient a completed referral form
    • There are generic paper forms  available for private referrals, with a list of local practices attached
    • Make sure patient details including phone number are correct
    • Request the correct examination and give sufficient clinical detail.
  • Tell the patient they must call (e.g. the following morning) to make an appointment
    • The patient should not just “turn up” to Medical Imaging without phoning first for an appointment
    • Radiology staff may need to give them preparation information e.g. fasting times, full bladder.
  • Patient must bring their request form and Medicare card with them.
  • Discuss with the patient how to get their results
    • Generally they should take the report to their GP
    • If this is not practical, they will need to be triaged and seen in ED. Place them as an expect in FirstNet.
Imaging-Referral-TSHDownload

Pathology

Non-urgent pathology testing can be arranged by the GP for patients discharged home. Request the GP to arrange these tests in your discharge letter, e.g.

  • thyroid function tests
  • serology
  • rheumatological markers

If these red and orange tests are to be ordered in ED, they must FIRST be discussed with an ED senior BEFORE (even if requested by a specialty team).

Referrals

Specialist referrals

It is usually better for the patient to get a referral from their GP

  • Keeps the GP “in the loop”
  • GP referral valid for 12 months, ED referrals valid for only 1 visit

Orthopaedic follow up is usually arranged by the patient, provide them with the information sheet below, and circle the name of the appropriate consultant.

Orthopaedics – Information for PatientsDownload

Clinic referrals

  • Make sure you have contacted the relevant specialty to authorise the referral, and follow their advice about how to book the patient in.
    • Many require a GP referral
    • Some clinics require special referral forms
  • Many can now be referred using eMR (e.g. hands at Sydney Hospital )
  • For patients discharged overnight, get the patient’s contact details and call the specialty registrar next morning. Let the patient know you will contact them with further details the next day.

South Care referrals

  • This can be complex and time-consuming
  • Get help the first few times!
    • Nurse practitioners are often the most helpful for these referrals
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