Pulmonary hypertension Referral Access Criteria
Pulmonary hypertension Referral Access Criteria
Referrers should use this page when referring patients to public adult respiratory and sleep medicine outpatient services for pulmonary hypertension.
|
| Emergency referral |
 If any of the following are present or suspected, refer the patient to the emergency department or seek emergency medical advice if in a remote region. |
- Acute decompensation (hypoxia or right heart failure) with known pulmonary hypertension
|
| Clinical indications for outpatient referral |
If any of these issues are present, refer to outpatient services through the Central Referral Service (CRS).
|
|
Symptoms as below in the context of an ECHO suggestive of pulmonary hypertension:
- Dyspnoea that limits ADLs
- Exertional dizziness/exertional light-headedness or syncope
- Chest discomfort or pain
- Palpitations
- Fluid retention/oedema
- Fatigue
- Cyanosis
|
| Mandatory information |
|
Referrals missing 'mandatory information' with no explanation provided may not be accepted by site. If 'mandatory information' is not included, the explanation must be provided in the body of the referral (e.g. patient unable to access test in regional or remote areas or due to financial reason).
This information is required to inform accurate and timely triage. If unable to attach reports, please include relevant information/findings in the body of the referral and advise where (provider) investigation/imaging was completed.
|
| History |
- Relevant history, onset, duration, and severity of symptoms including dyspnoea
- Details of any previous:
- cardiac disease
- respiratory disease (including history of sleep disordered breathing)
- venous thromboembolism
- connective tissues disorders
- Current medication list and history
- Any known allergies
- Smoking/vaping status and history
- Degree of functional impairment (e.g. impact on exercise tolerance/ADLs/ability to work)
|
| Examination |
|
| Investigations |
|
| Highly desirable |
| History |
|
| Examination |
|
| Investigations |
- Relevant imaging reports (e.g. CT thorax, CTPA, V/Q scan)
- FBC
- U&E
- LFT
- Atrial natriuretic factor (ANF)
- Extractable nuclear antigen (ENA) results
- Lung function tests
- Sleep study
|
| Indicative clinical urgency category |
|
Category 1
Appointment within 30 days
|
- Newly diagnosed pulmonary hypertension without known heart or lung disease
- Known pulmonary hypertension with Grade 3/4 dyspnoea (ADLs affected by dyspnoea) (external site)
- Known pulmonary hypertension with deteriorating functional status over 3 months
|
|
Category 2
Appointment within 90 days
|
- Known pulmonary hypertension with deteriorating functional status over the past year
- Known pulmonary hypertension with Grade 1/2 dyspnoea (external site)
|
|
Category 3
Appointment within 365 days
|
-
Stable pulmonary hypertension for specialist opinion
|
Feedback
If you would like to submit feedback on the contents of the Referral Access Criteria, please complete this form.