Referral to emergency

If any of the following are present or suspected, please refer the patient to the emergency department (via ambulance if necessary) or seek emergent medical advice if in a remote region.

  • acute nasal fracture with septal haematoma

For clinical advice, please telephone the relevant metropolitan Local Health Network switchboard and ask to speak to the relevant specialty service.

Central Adelaide Local Health Network

Northern Adelaide Local Health Network

Southern Adelaide Local Health Network

Category 1 — appointment clinically indicated within 30 days

  • acute nasal fracture requiring surgical intervention i.e. external bone displacement:
    • referral for specialist input needs to be prompted to ensure best outcome for patients
    • acute nasal fractures receive the best result within two weeks from time of injury

Category 2 — appointment clinically indicated within 90 days

  • nil

Category 3 — appointment clinically indicated within 365 days

  • nil

For information on referral forms and how to import them, please view general referral information.

Essential referral information

Completion required before first appointment to ensure patients are ready for care. Please indicate in the referral if the patient is unable to access mandatory tests or investigations as they incur a cost or are unavailable locally.

  • identifies as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander
  • relevant social history, including identifying if you feel your patient is from a vulnerable population and/or requires a third party to receive correspondence on their behalf
  • interpreter requirements
  • history of event/mechanism of injury
  • current symptoms and concerns
  • relevant X-rays and reports, include location and accession number

Additional information to assist triage categorisation

  • current medication list including non-prescription medication, herbs and supplements
  • use/frequency of alcohol, tobacco and other drugs

Clinical management advice

  • exclude septal haematoma
  • encourage cool compress to reduce swelling
  • analgesia
  • re-evaluate within 3 to 4 days to ensure nose looks normal and breathing is normal

Clinical resources