Established Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)

From April – August 2022, the Department will contact patients waiting for an outpatient clinic appointment via SMS, with a link to an electronic form. This forms part of a routine audit 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:

History:

  • Crohn's
  • Ulcerative colitis
  • Indeterminate colitis
  • Site: proctitis, left colon, pancolitis, small bowel
  • Details of any previous endoscopies (date, result)
  • Complications e.g. fistula
  • Extra intestinal manifestations e.g. arthritis, iritis, erythema nodosum

Tests

Initial work up:

  • FBE
  • ESR and CRP
  • Faecal specimen for M,C&S
  • Iron studies

Interim/GP management

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

For more information please see the Tasmanian Health Pathways website.

Urgent / category 1

When patient presents with any of the following, contact Gastroenterology Registrar via switch 6166 8308

  • >6 loose bowel actions per day
  • Urgency
  • PR bleeding
  • Significant abdominal pain
  • Significant weight loss
  • Anaemia
  • Previously severe disease

Semi-urgent / category 2

  • 4 – 6 loose bowel actions per day
  • Occasional PR blood
  • Mild abdominal pain
  • Recurrent symptoms on reducing Steroids
  • Patients known to the IBD Clinic

Routine / category 3

Maintenance:

At least 3 monthly review

  • If taking azathioprine, 6MP, MTX,  infliximab

Patients in remission

  • Colonoscopy screening for colorectal cancer

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

GESA Guideline:Inflammatory Bowel Disease (2013)

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