Burns

Emergency referrals

All urgent cases must be discussed with the on call Registrar to obtain appropriate prioritisation and treatment. Contact through Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital (07) 3646 8111.

Urgent cases accepted via phone must be accompanied with a written referral and a copy faxed immediately to the Central Patient Intake Unit: 1300 364 952.

Red flags

Consider immediate referral of patients with any of the following

Any burn with suspected inhalation injury should be sent directly to the nearest emergency department with appropriate supportive measures (ambulance).
Signs of cellulitis or sepsis

Burns services are provided at the RBWH in Metro North by Surgical and Perioperative services. The Australian and New Zealand Burns Association have identified the following injuries as those requiring referral to a burns unit.

Burns > 10% Total Body Surface Area (TBSA)
Burns of special areas: face, hands, feet, genitalia, perineum and major joints
Full thickness burns > than 5% TBSA
Electrical burns
Chemical burns Burns with an associated inhalation injury
Circumferential burns of the limbs or chest
Burns at extremes of age – children or the elderly
Burn injury in patients with pre-existing medical disorders which could complicate management, prolong recovery or affect mortality
Burns in pregnant women
Any burn patient with associated trauma

Most burns do not need immediate transfer and can be managed as an outpatient often with GP or local hospital follow-up. To facilitate referral or to get advice about assessment and management the burns registrar can be contacted through the RBWH switchboard and an emailed photo with the required information as outlined below will allow for correct management and assessment so appropriate treatment and follow-up can be determined.

Referral requirements

A referral may be rejected without the following information.

Essential referral information

Location of the burn
Estimated TBSA
Mechanism of burn
Estimated depth and appearance of burn
First aid measures
Current treatment and dressings
Tetanus vaccination status

Out of catchment!

Metro North Health is responsible for providing public health services to the people who reside within its boundaries. Special consideration is made for patients requiring tertiary care or services that are not provided by their local Hospital and Health Service. If your patient lives outside the Metro North Health area and you wish to refer them to one of our services, inclusion of information regarding their particular medical and social factors will assist with the triaging of your referral.

Clinical Modifiers (where relevant)

Impact on employment
Impact on education
Impact on home
Impact on activities of daily living
Impact on ability to care for others
Impact on personal frailty or safety
Identifies as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander

Reason for Referral (essential)

To establish a diagnosis
For treatment or intervention
For advice and management
For specialist to take over management
Reassurance for GP/second opinion
For a specified test/investigation the GP can’t order, or the patient can’t afford or access
Reassurance for the patient/family
For other reason (e.g. rapidly accelerating disease progression)
Clinical judgement indicates a referral for specialist review is necessary

Clinical Information (essential)

Presenting symptoms (evolution and duration)
Physical findings
Details of previous treatment (including systemic and topical medications prescribed) including the course and outcome of the treatment
Body mass index (BMI)
Details of any associated medical conditions which may affect the condition or its treatment (e.g. diabetes), noting these must be stable and controlled prior to referral
Current medications and dosages
Drug allergies
Alcohol, tobacco and other drugs use

Patient’s Demographic Details (essential)

Full name (including aliases)
Date of birth
Residential and postal address
Telephone contact number/s – home, mobile and alternative
Medicare number (where eligible)
Name of the parent or caregiver (if appropriate)
Preferred language and interpreter requirements
Identifies as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander

Referring Practitioner Details (essential)

Full name
Full address
Contact details – telephone, fax, email
Provider number
Date of referral
Signature

Other Information (where relevant)

Willingness to have surgery (where surgery is a likely intervention)
Choice to be treated as a public or private patient
Compensable status (e.g. DVA, Work Cover, Motor Vehicle Insurance, etc.)

Specialists list

Specialty	Name	Facility	Clinic type
Burns		RBWH	Public

Send referral

Hotline: 1300 364 938

Fax: 1300 364 952

Electronic: eReferral system

Mail: Metro North Central Patient Intake
Aspley Community Centre
776 Zillmere Road
ASPLEY QLD 4034

Health pathways

Access to Health Pathways is free for clinicians in Metro North Brisbane.

For login details email:
healthpathways@brisbanenorthphn.org.au

Locations

Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital