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 bacterial rhinosinusitis - visual disturbance/signs, neurological signs/frontal swelling/severe unilateral or bilateral headache

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

  • nil

Category 2 — appointment clinically indicated within 90 days

  • nasal obstruction (polyps) and offensive or bloody discharge

Category 3 — appointment clinically indicated within 365 days

  • nasal obstruction and any of the following:
    • persisting polyps despite preliminary course of oral steroids with at least 8 weeks of inhaled corticosteroid
    • post trauma
    • deviated nasal septum
    • allergic rhinitis
    • failed/not responding to maximal medical management

For more on outpatient referrals, see the general referral information page.

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
  • details of previous medical management including:
    • systemic and topical medications prescribed
    • duration and outcome of the treatment
  • complete blood examination (CBE)
  • immunoglobulin (allergic rhinitis) and/or referral to an allergy/clinical Immunology specialist for skin prick testing
  • computerised tomography (CT) scan paranasal sinuses results, including company and accession number

Clinical management advice

Medical management

Medical management for sinonasal inflammation includes a two-month course of:

  • treatment with intranasal corticosteroids for at least four consecutive weeks
  • 5 days only of twice daily nasal decongestant spray e.g. oxymetazoline at the start of the course
  • daily saline rinse/irrigation
  • manage any co-existing allergies

Consider the following

  • computerised tomography (CT) scan paranasal sinuses
  • short course (10 to 14 days) of oral corticosteroid (0.5mg/kg/day prednisolone) therapy - please specify length and dosage of treatment

Clinical resources

Consumer resources