Orthopaedics

Emergency department referrals

All urgent cases must be discussed with the on call Registrar to obtain appropriate prioritisation and treatment. Contact through:

• Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital (07) 3646 8111
• The Prince Charles Hospital (07) 3139 4000
• Redcliffe Hospital (07) 3883 7777
• Caboolture Hospital (07) 5433 8888

Urgent cases accepted via phone must be accompanied with a written referral and a copy faxed immediately to the Central Patient Intake Unit: 1300 364 952.

If any of the following are present or suspected, please refer the patient to the emergency department (via ambulance if necessary):

The list below includes common traumatic injuries that require referral to emergency and should not be referred for elective / fracture clinic categorisation

• Spinal injuries
• Suspected open fracture
• Fracture requiring manipulation or urgent operation
• Suspected acute bone or joint infection
• Acute high energy fracture with/without neurological abnormality
• Injury associated with vascular compromise
• Clavicle fracture
• Osteoporotic / pathological fracture new abnormal neurology
• Suspected information or sudden pain in arthoplasty
• Joint dislocations
• Open injuries with possible tendon or joint involved
• Nail bed injuries or retained foreign body
• Knee extensor mechanism rupture
• Acute peripheral nerve injury
• Suspected acute compartment syndrome
• If joint infection is suspected refer immediately to emergency or contact the orthopaedic registrar on call
  • do not commence antibiotics unless delay to specialist review is likely