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Pyelonephritis

Red flags

Consider urgent referral for patients with the following

  • Most cases of acute pyelonephritis may be sent to Accident and Emergency for IV antibiotics and rapid diagnosis and treatment
  • High fever (over 39 deg C) associated with renal pain and pyuria.
  • Acute decline in renal function

Disease information

Pyelonephritis is a serious condition that can cause acute renal injury and can cause bacteraemia and septicaemia. Control of sepsis is urgent and the patient should be referred as an emergency to DEM. This letter should contain important relevant information as below if available. If pyelonephritis is suspected urgent referral of the patient should not be delayed while waiting for urine culture results or other investigations.

Other important information for referring practitioners

Lifestyle changes

  • Keep good hydration
  • Void bladder after intercourse in women
  • Consider cranberry juice/tablets

Medical management

  • Identify predisposing conditions e.g. prostatism, DM, and optimise treatment
  • Provide patient with an action plan to monitor for recurrences

Referral requirements

A referral may be rejected without the following information.

Essential referral information

  • Reason for referral
  • Presence of any Red Flags
  • Timeline of symptoms including previous episodes
  • Severity of symptoms
  • Associated co-morbidities (DM, HT, prostatism)
  • Current medication and allergies
  • Examination findings
    • Fever, renal tenderness, tachycardia
  • Investigations
    • Urinalysis (MSU micro and culture if available)

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.

  • 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

  • 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

  • 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

  • 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

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

  • 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.)

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

Login to Brisbane North Health Pathways:
brisbanenorth.healthpathwayscommunity.org

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