Peripheral Vascular Disease

Availability

North South North West Statewide

Pre-referral work-up

History

All referrals should comply to referral standards and also include:

  • Smoking status
  • Claudication distance
  • Peripheral pulses
  • Skin and nail changes consistent with ischaemia

Tests

  • Duplex scan

Interim/GP management

To refer a patient with this condition, please see the Vascular Surgery clinic page for the full referral process and templates.

Management of risk factors especially diabetes and smoking.

Please review medication if this includes a B blocker and if this must be maintained consider a more selective B blocker. Advice regarding a graduated exercise program

For more information please see the Tasmanian Health Pathways website.

Urgent / category 1

Ischaemic changes or rest pain requires immediate referral

Semi-urgent / category 2

Rest or night pain, ulceration

Routine / category 3

Disabling claudication

Red flags are clinical indicators of possible serious underlying conditions requiring further medical intervention. They may or may not indicate an emergency.

Emergency:

Proceed to Emergency Department (ED). Please contact ED Medical Officer in Charge:
LGH ED – Phone: (03) 6777 6405  Fax: (03) 6777 5201
MCH ED – Phone: (03) 6478 5120  Fax: (03) 6441 5923
NWRH ED – Phone: (03) 6493 6340  Fax: (03) 6464 1926
RHH ED – Phone: (03) 6166 6100  Fax: (03) 6173 0489

Urgent:

Urgent referrals should be accompanied by a phone call to the Consultant/Registrar to organise urgent review and the referral must be faxed.

We will endeavour to see these patients within four weeks, or sooner if clinically indicated.

Semi-urgent:

We will endeavour to see these patients within 12 weeks

Routine:

Next available appointment