Ulcers
Emergency referrals
Advise patient to present to the RBWH Department of Emergency Medicine.
For emergency referrals the on-call Oral and Maxillofacial Registrar must be contacted through RBWH switch (07) 3646 8111 to obtain appropriate prioritisation and treatment advice. Urgent cases accepted via phone must be accompanied with a written referral and a copy faxed immediately to the Oral and Maxillofacial Clinic Fax: (07) 3646 3545
- Malignant ulcers
- Traumatic ulcers
- Autoimmune ulcers
- Infectious/ viral ulcers
- Dermatological conditions (Lichen planus)
Priority
Category 1
Examples
- Malignant ulcers
Evaluation
Consider:
- Biopsy if confident
Referral to include:
- History including: Alcohol abuse, smoking, sharp teeth, dentures and non- healing tooth extraction socket
Priority
Category 2
Examples
- Traumatic Ulcers
Evaluation
Refer to the dentist in the first instance for assessment for local causes and treatment
Consider:
- Topical anaesthetic paste
- 0.2% Chlorhexidine mouthwash
- Leave out dentures (if applicable)
- If not healed after 10 days – biopsy
Refer if no improvement to conservative measures after 2 weeks.
Referral to include:
- Details of conservative measures trialled
- Biopsy result
Priority
Examples
- Autoimmune Ulcers
Evaluation
Consider:
- Corticosteroid or paste
- May take two weeks to heal
Refer if no improvement to conservative measures after two weeks.
Referral to include:
- Details of conservative measures trialled
Priority
Examples
Dermatological conditions
- Lichen planus
Evaluation
Consider:
- Treat painful ulcerations with Kenalog in Orobase
- Persistent ulceration is suspicious as malignant
Referral to include:
- Details of conservative measures trialled
- History including: Alcohol abuse, smoking, sharp teeth or dentures
Referral requirements
A referral may be rejected without the following information.
Clinical Modifiers (where relevant)
- Impact on employment
- Impact on education
- Impact on home
- Impact on activities of daily living
- Impact on ability to care for others
- Impact on personal frailty or safety
- Identifies as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander
Reason for Referral (essential)
- To establish a diagnosis
- For treatment or intervention
- For advice and management
- For specialist to take over management
- Reassurance for GP/second opinion
- For a specified test/investigation the GP can’t order, or the patient can’t afford or access
- Reassurance for the patient/family
- For other reason (e.g. rapidly accelerating disease progression)
- Clinical judgement indicates a referral for specialist review is necessary
Clinical Information (essential)
- Presenting symptoms (evolution and duration)
- Physical findings
- Details of previous treatment (including systemic and topical medications prescribed) including the course and outcome of the treatment
- Body mass index (BMI)
- Details of any associated medical conditions which may affect the condition or its treatment (e.g. diabetes), noting these must be stable and controlled prior to referral
- Current medications and dosages
- Drug allergies
- Alcohol, tobacco and other drugs use
Patient’s Demographic Details (essential)
- Full name (including aliases)
- Date of birth
- Residential and postal address
- Telephone contact number/s – home, mobile and alternative
- Medicare number (where eligible)
- Name of the parent or caregiver (if appropriate)
- Preferred language and interpreter requirements
- Identifies as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander
Referring Practitioner Details (essential)
- Full name
- Full address
- Contact details – telephone, fax, email
- Provider number
- Date of referral
- Signature
Other Information (where relevant)
- Willingness to have surgery (where surgery is a likely intervention)
- Choice to be treated as a public or private patient
- Compensable status (e.g. DVA, Work Cover, Motor Vehicle Insurance, etc.)
Send referral
Hotline: 1300 364 938
Medical Objects ID: MQ40290004P
HealthLink EDI: qldmnhhs
Mail:
Metro North Central Patient Intake
Aspley Community Centre
776 Zillmere Road
ASPLEY QLD 4034
Fax number:
Metro North Central Patient Intake
1300 364 952
Health pathways
Access to Health Pathways is free for clinicians in Metro North Brisbane.
For login details email:
healthpathways@brisbanenorthphn.org.au
Login to Brisbane North Health Pathways:
brisbanenorth.healthpathwayscommunity.org