Upper GI Tract Haemorrhage (Haematemesis and/or Melaena)

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 symptoms
  • Pattern and severity of symptoms
  • Current status - blood pressure and pulse
  • Medications including anticoagulants in particular
  • Co-morbidities such as liver, renal, cardiac disease

Tests

Assess for shock and ring ambulance if blood pressure and pulse suggest significant or ongoing blood loss.

Interim/GP management

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

All patients should be referred directly to the Emergency Department.

Please contact Emergency Department Medical Officer in Charge via RHH switchboard 6166 8308.

For more information please see the Tasmanian Health Pathways website.

Emergency

All patients should be referred directly to the Emergency Department

Please contact Emergency Department Medical Officer in Charge via RHH switchboard 6166 8308

Urgent / category 1

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).
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