Referral letters Flashcards
Why would someone require a referral?
Further investigation (could be internal referral)
Different expertise needed
Emergencies
What should you do when referring a patient as an emergency?
Phone ahead
Email referral or give to px to take with them
Send copy of referral to GP
Double check all key info included
What should you do when referring a patient urgently or routinely?
Include urgency and clinic type
H&S summary
Relevant findings
Provisional diagnosis
Explain impact to life
What should you do when referring a patient to their GP?
Make it clear what you want GP to do, what the referral is for and how quickly they should see the px.
If summary of findings - make it clear no action required.
What should you do when referring a patient to another OO/shared care schemes?
Make px aware they’re not being referred to a doctor.
Usually a template to follow.
What needs to be included on a referral letter?
Px name
Px DOB
Px address
Practice address
Your name and GOC no/qualifications (or supervisor)
Urgency
Clinic type/main reason for referral
Which eye
Provisional diagnosis
H&S summary
Clinical findings
What should a referral letter include according to the GOC?
Written report of findings
Indicate grounds for thinking px is suffering from injury or disease
Indicate urgency
What should you do with a referral according to the Optician’s Act?
Provide px with written statement of referral
What do the AOP say is good practice?
Give rx copy
Indication of referral
Reason for referral
What do the COptom say is good practice?
Provide px with copy of referral letter
What should always happen with a referral?
A copy should be kept in the px’s notes
Px must always give consent for the referral to go ahead.
What should you do if a px refuses referral?
Send them a copy with a cover letter explaining reason for wanting to refer
What should you include on a glaucoma referral?
IOP with instrument and time
Visual fields
Descriptions of ONH (NRR< CD ratio, colour)
VH angle
Corneal thickness
Gonio results if done
Refraction
VA
What should you include on a diabetes referral?
Refraction
VA
Previous refraction/VA
Fundus assessment report (esp macula)
IOP with instrument and time
Amsler chart results
What should you include on an AMD referral?
Wet or Dry?
Onset
Refraction
VA
Pinhole
Amsler chart result
Fundus assessment (esp macula)
OCT
What should you include on a referral for sudden onset diplopia?
If horizontal, vertical or diagonal
At distance or near?
Constant or intermittent?
Refraction
VA
Measurement in ^
Relevant history
CT @D&N
Pupils (with and w/o rx)
Motility
Full fields result
Red desaturation test
General health info (thyroid, HBP, diabetes)
