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.

  • septic arthritis
  • fracture

Please contact the on-call registrar to discuss your concerns prior to referral.

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)

  • nil

Category 3 (appointment clinically indicated within 365 days)

  • for diagnostic clarification
  • ongoing functional impairment that persists despite optimal management

For more on outpatient referrals, see the 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 required
  • complete medical history
  • body mass index

History of presenting condition:

  • description of joints affected and characteristics.
    • recurrence
    • acuity
  • duration of symptoms
  • symptoms including functional impairment
  • previous assessments or opinions from a rheumatologist or other relevant specialist or allied health clinician

Additional information to assist triage categorisation

  • family history of osteoarthritis
  • relevant allied health/diagnostic/imaging reports including location of company and accession number
  • interference with activities of daily living and working ability - for example, has the patient had to stop or change work practices, are they requiring assistance with self care
  • blood results including location of company and accession number if available:
    • full blood count (FBC)
    • electrolytes, urea, creatinine (EUC)
    • estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR)
    • liver function tests (LFTs)
    • C-reactive protein
    • erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR)
    • urate
    • rheumatoid factor (RF)
    • anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide (anti-CCP) antibodies

Clinical management advice

To preserve rheumatology outpatient capacity for high acuity presentations, an alternative service model has been adopted at the Royal Adelaide Hospital (RAH) and The Queen Elizabeth Hospital (TQEH). Patients with uncomplicated non-inflammatory musculoskeletal conditions and recent onset inflammatory arthritis requiring fast tracking may be triaged into a physiotherapist-led clinic at the RAH or TQEH for assessment and management, with rheumatology consultant access as required. Outcomes may include provision of non-pharmacological management options in primary care or further imaging/pathology and review with a rheumatologist for ongoing care where indicated.

Clinical resources

Consumer resources