Cystic fibrosis
Emergency department referrals
If any of the following are present or suspected, refer the patient to the emergency department (via ambulance if necessary) or seek emergent medical advice in in a remote region.
- Acute decompensation (hypoxia or right heart failure) with pulmonary hypertension
- Cystic fibrosis with any of the following concerning features:
- respiratory distress
- new haemoptysis (clots or more than streaks)
- pleural effusion
- consolidation/pneumonia/fever
- non- response to antibiotics for chest infection
Does your patient wish to be referred?
Minimum referral criteria
Does your patient meet the minimum referral criteria?
Category 1
Appointment within 30 days is desirable
- Newly diagnosed cystic fibrosis
- Patients with known cystic fibrosis transitioning from a paediatric or other adult centre who have recent clinical instability and/or severe lung disease (FEV1<40%)
Category 2
Appointment within 90 days is desirable
- Suspected but undiagnosed cystic fibrosis
- Patients with known cystic fibrosis transitioning from a paediatric or other adult centre who have recent clinical stability or moderate lung disease (FEV1>40%)
Category 3
Appointment within 365 days is desirable
- No category 3 criteria
If your patient does not meet the minimum referral criteria
Consider other treatment pathways or an alternative diagnosis.
If you still need to refer your patient:
- Please explain why (e.g. warning signs or symptoms, clinical modifiers, uncertain about diagnosis, etc.)
- Please note that your referral may not be accepted or may be redirected to another service
Other important information for referring practitioners
Not an exhaustive list
- Refer to HealthPathways for assessment and management information if available
- All patients diagnosed with cystic fibrosis should be managed by a cystic fibrosis service in a tertiary facility
Referral requirements
A referral may be rejected without the following information.
History and Examination
- Medications
- Symptoms including:
- duration
- severity
- non- pulmonary CF problems
- recent admissions
- Previous centre of care (if transitioning patient)
Additional referral information (Useful for processing the referral)
History and Examination
- Calcium, vitamin D, coagulation profile, fasting glucose, fat soluble vitamin levels and iron study results
- Family history
- Genotype
- Weight history/trend
Pathology and Test Results
- FBC, ELFT results
- Any recent sputum culture results
Imaging and Reports
- Spirometry
- CXR/CT and any other relevant imaging
Out of catchment
Metro North Health is responsible for providing public health services to the people who reside within its boundaries. Special consideration is made for patients requiring tertiary care or services that are not provided by their local Hospital and Health Service. If your patient lives outside the Metro North Health area and you wish to refer them to one of our services, inclusion of information regarding their particular medical and social factors will assist with the triaging of your referral.
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- Full name
- Full address
- Contact details – telephone, fax, email
- Provider number
- Date of referral
- Signature
- 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
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
Locations
Resources
Clinical resources
- Nutritional guidelines for cystic fibrosis 2017
- Standards of Care for Cystic Fibrosis in Australia 2008