Emergency

If any of the following are present or suspected, please refer the patient to the emergency department (via ambulance if necessary) or seek emergency medical advice via phone to on-call consultant/registrar:

  • acute breathlessness in the context of bony thoracic trauma
  • back pain with any of the following red flags:
    • acute onset (< 6 weeks)
    • bowel or bladder dysfunction
    • fever
    • neurological deficit
    • severe pain
    • trauma
  • scoliosis or kyphosis associated with trauma
  • scoliosis or kyphosis with abnormal neurological exam.

When public outpatient services are not routinely provided

  • Kyphosis < 50 degrees in a skeletally mature child without pain.
  • Scoliosis < 10 degrees in a skeletally mature child without pain.

Criteria to access public outpatient services

CategoryCriteria
Category 1
Recommended to be seen within 30 calendar days.
  • Kyphosis with pain.
  • Scoliosis with pain.

Category 2
Recommended to be seen within 90 calendar days.

  • Kyphosis confirmed on X-ray ≥ 50 degrees without pain.
  • Scoliosis confirmed on X-ray ≥ 10 degrees without pain.

Category 3
Recommended to be seen within 365 calendar days.

Second opinion for a child with confirmed scoliosis or kyphosis with a current treatment plan.

Information to include within a referral

Required

  • Reason for referral.
  • Details of the presenting condition including evolution and duration of symptoms.
  • Provisional diagnosis.
  • Patient health summary (such as relevant medical history, relevant investigations, current medications and dosages, immunisations, allergies and/or adverse reactions), including specifically:
    • treatment prescribed
    • relevant family history
    • other diseases associated with scoliosis, kyphosis or neurological deficits
    • x-ray: erect whole spine (or EOS) confirming scoliosis or kyphosis.

If available

  • If the patient identifies as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander.
  • If the patient is considered 'at risk' and/or among a vulnerable, disadvantaged or priority population.
  • If the patient is suitable for virtual care or telehealth.
  • If the patient has special needs or requires reasonable adjustments to be made.
  • If the patient requires an interpreter (if so, list preferred language)If the patient is considered 'at risk' and/or among a vulnerable, disadvantaged or priority population.

Important information for referring health professionals

If there is a change to a patient’s condition while waiting for their appointment, referring health professionals may further investigate and manage the situation, or send an updated referral to the outpatient service. Where there are significant concerns about a patient's condition, referring health professionals may check HealthPathways for urgent/same day advice or contact the relevant clinical team.

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Current as at: Monday 17 June 2024
Contact page owner: System Purchasing