Outpatient Clinics

This condition is treated in the Tasmanian Specialist Immunisation and Allergy Clinic (SIAC) (Statewide) clinic

Pre-referral work-up

History

This condition is treated in the  Tasmanian Specialist Immunisation and Allergy Clinic (SIAC).

Priority is given to the following patients:

• Immunocompromised and/or high risk for severe infection.
• Recurrent infections with treatment options limited by antibiotic allergy history.
• A chronic condition with multiple drug allergies and a limited range of antibiotics available.
• Need for long term antibiotics where history of antibiotic allergy compromises patients’ treatment or means they are on broader spectrum antibiotics than indicated.

Referral Process

All referrals should comply with the Referral Standards and specifically include:

• Antibiotic (brand name, route of administration & dose).
• Date of reaction or (how many years ago did the reaction occur?)
• Documented symptoms and severity, time interval between exposure and reaction.
• Management of allergic reaction e.g. medical attention required, adrenaline
• Which other antibiotics have been safely taken since the reaction?

The patient will be assessed in our clinic and where appropriate follow-up antibiotic testing can be offered. If testing (skin prick tests, intradermal skin tests, oral challenge tests, or desensitisation) is required we will arrange this.

If the request is urgent, please phone the clinical nurse consultant and we will endeavour to assist.

Referral instructions

The clinical information provided in the referral will determine the evaluation of possible antibiotic allergy, the level of patient risk, and for deciding whether skin testing, oral challenge, or desensitisation is indicated. A lack of clinical information may result in the referral being rejected pending further information.

Clinical consultants
Associate Professor Paul Cameron: Immunologist
Dr Jennifer O’Hern: Infectious Diseases Specialist

To refer a patient, complete a referral form (RHH templates are accepted for LGH) and send your referral to Outpatients by fax to (03) 6777 5227 or email tas.siac@ths.tas.gov.au

For further information contact:
Clinical Nurse Consultant: Fiona Taylor
Office Phone:  6777 4075
Mobile:    0457229474
Email:    tas.siac@ths.tas.gov.au

For more information please see the Tasmanian Health Pathways website.

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