Upper limb trauma
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
- The Prince Charles Hospital (07) 3139 4000
- Redcliffe Hospital (07) 3883 7777
- Caboolture Hospital (07) 5433 8888
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.
Does your patient wish to be referred?
Minimum referral criteria
Does your patient meet the minimum referral criteria?
Category 1
Appointment within 30 days is desirable
- Undisplaced fracture
- Fracture that have been reduced satisfactorily
- Delayed presentation nerve or tendon injury
- Delayed presentation joint dislocation
Category 2
Appointment within 90 days is desirable
- Fracture delayed or non-union
- Mal-union affecting function
Category 3
Appointment within 365 days is desirable
- Mal-union not affecting function
If your patient does not meet the minimum referral criteria
Consider other treatment pathways or an alternative diagnosis.
If you still need to refer your patient:
- Please explain why (e.g. warning signs or symptoms, clinical modifiers, uncertain about diagnosis, etc.)
- Please note that your referral may not be accepted or may be redirected to another service
Other important information for referring practitioners
Not an exhaustive list
- Timing of first review appointments at orthopaedic outpatient’s/fracture clinic
- if there is documentation indicating adequate alignment and satisfactory initial treatment of fracture – to be seen within 14 days of referral
- all other fracture cases, delayed presentation of tendon and nerve injuries – to be seen within 7 days of referral
- Do not delay referral for open, unstable fractures — refer to emergency or contact the orthopaedic registrar on-call.
- Please refer early as treatment may change with a delayed referral
- Chronic disease requires to be optimized prior to referral or the patients may not proceed to surgery
Management
- Assess and document neurovascular status
- Check XR post manipulation (if applicable)
- Immobilise fractured limb in a sling, shoulder immobiliser or cast as appropriate
Referral requirements
A referral may be rejected without the following information.
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
Login to Brisbane North Health Pathways:
brisbanenorth.