Abdominal Pain, Discomfort or Bloating

The Department will periodically contact patients waiting for an outpatient clinic appointment via SMS, with a link to an electronic form.  This is part of routine waitlist auditing to ensure patient details are up to date.  If you receive this SMS, please update your details.

Availability

North South North West Statewide

Pre-referral work-up

History

All referrals should comply to referral standards and include in particular:

  • Duration of pain, discomfort or bloating
  • Severity and pattern of symptoms
  • Relieving and aggravating factors
  • Current and ceased relevant medications
  • Smoking, alcohol and illicit drug use
  • Results of previous investigations

Tests

Suggested initial work up:

  • FBE
  • U&E
  • Ca
  • ESR and CRP
  • BSL
  • Abdominal x-ray (supine)
  • Abdominal ultrasound

In selected cases:

  • LFTs (upper abdominal pain)
  • Lipase (upper abdominal pain)
  • Pelvic ultrasound (where appropriate)
  • MSU (where appropriate)

Interim/GP management

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

Refer to the recommended pre-referral treatment for reflux/heartburn/dyspepsia.

For more information please see the Tasmanian Health Pathways website.

Emergency

Severe acute pain

Suspected surgical problem including bowel obstruction

Please contact the Emergency Department Medical Officer in Charge via RHH Switchboard

6166 8308

Urgent / category 1

When combined with at least one of the following alarm symptoms:

Progressive unintentional weight loss

Proven anaemia

Persistent vomiting

Anorexia

Routine / category 3

For all other presentations of abdominal pain

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

GESA Guideline:Gastro- Oesophageal Reflux Disease (2011)

Emergency:

Proceed to Emergency Department (ED).
LGH ED Reception  – Phone: (03) 6777 6405  Fax: (03) 6777 5201
MCH ED* – Phone: (03) 6478 5120  Fax: (03) 6441 5923
NWRH ED* – Phone: (03) 6493 6351 Fax: (03) 6464 1926
RHH ED Reception – Phone: (03) 6166 6100  Fax: (03) 6173 0489

Advice for medical practitioners can be given by the Medical Officer In Charge (MOIC) - see HealthPathways Tasmania for contact information.
*MCH and NWRH MOICs request GPs call them prior to referring a patient to ensure the patient is being sent appropriately to a safe destination.

Urgent:

We will endeavour to see these patients within four weeks

Urgent referrals should be accompanied by a phone call to the clinic and the relevant doctor for urgent assessment, or patient should be directed immediately to the Emergency Department.

Semi-urgent:

We will endeavour to see these patients within 12 weeks

Routine:

Next available appointment