Referral

About: Referral is a research topic. Over the lifetime, 27614 publications have been published within this topic receiving 479918 citations.

Prevalence of Anemia in Medical Practice: Community Versus Referral Patients

Abstract: Objective To compare the prevalence of anemia among community and referral patients. Design A Mayo Clinic laboratory database was searched for hemoglobin determinations between Jan. 1, 1985, and Dec. 31, 1989, in residents and nonresidents of Olmsted County, Minnesota, who were 20 years of age or older (a more restricted period within this interval was used for those 70 years of age or older). Material and Methods Using the World Health Organization criteria for anemia, we estimated the prevalence of anemia as of July 1, 1987, among Olmsted County residents 20 years of age or older (community patients) and compared this finding with the prevalence among non-Olmsted County patients of the same age registered at the Mayo Clinic during the same year (referral patients). Results The crude prevalence of anemia among Olmsted County men was less than that among male referral patients, but this difference was decreased by adjusting for the older mean age of referral patients (6.6% versus 7.0%; P = 0.01). Even after age-adjustment, the prevalence of anemia was greater among community women than among female referral patients (12.4% versus 8.2%; P Conclusion Clinicians should be aware of the high prevalence of anemia, especially among elderly community patients. This precaution should help minimize the overlooked diagnosis of anemia and the failure to identify and treat its underlying cause.

Diagnosing cancer in primary care: results from the National Cancer Diagnosis Audit.

Abstract: Background Continual improvements in diagnostic processes are needed to minimise the proportion of patients with cancer who experience diagnostic delays. Clinical audit is a means of achieving this. Aim To characterise key aspects of the diagnostic process for cancer and to generate baseline measures for future re-audit. Design and setting Clinical audit of cancer diagnosis in general practices in England. Method Information on patient and tumour characteristics held in the English National Cancer Registry was supplemented by information from GPs in participating practices. Data items included diagnostic timepoints, patient characteristics, and clinical management. Results Data were collected on 17 042 patients with a new diagnosis of cancer during 2014 from 439 practices. Participating practices were similar to non-participating ones, particularly regarding population age, urban/rural location, and practice-based patient experience measures. The median diagnostic interval for all patients was 40 days (interquartile range [IQR] 15–86 days). Most patients were referred promptly (median primary care interval 5 days [IQR 0–27 days]). Where GPs deemed diagnostic delays to have occurred (22% of cases), patient, clinician, or system factors were responsible in 26%, 28%, and 34% of instances, respectively. Safety netting was recorded for 44% of patients. At least one primary care-led investigation was carried out for 45% of patients. Most patients (76%) had at least one existing comorbid condition; 21% had three or more. Conclusion The findings identify avenues for quality improvement activity and provide a baseline for future audit of the impact of 2015 National Institute for Health and Care Excellence guidance on management and referral of suspected cancer.

Diabetic ketoacidosis: predictors of outcome in a pediatric intensive care unit of a developing country.

Abstract: Objectives:To study the outcome and predictors of mortality in children with diabetic ketoacidosis.Design:Retrospective case series.Setting:Pediatric intensive care unit of an urban multiple-specialty teaching and referral hospital in north India.Patients:Sixty-eight patients with diabetic ketoacido

Elevated levels of serum creatinine recommendations for management and referral

Abstract: Background: The potential benefits of earlier referral to a nephrologist of patients with elevated levels of serum creatinine include identifying and treating reversible causes of renal failure, slowing the rate of decline associated with progressive renal insufficiency, managing the coexisting conditions associated with chronic renal failure and facilitating efficient entry into dialysis programs for all patients who might benefit. Methods: A subcommittee of the Canadian Society of Nephrology, which included representatives from family practice and internal medicine, conducted a MEDLINE search for the period 1966 to 1998 using the key words referral and consultation, dialysis, hemodialysis, peritoneal dialysis, renal replacement therapy and kidney diseases. Where published evidence was lacking, conclusions were reached by consensus. Guidelines: Earlier referral to nephrologists of patients with elevated creatinine levels is expected to lead to better health care outcomes and lower costs for both the patients and the health care system. All patients with newly discovered renal insufficiency (as evidenced by serum creatinine elevated to a level above the upper limit of the normal range of that laboratory, adjusted for age and height in children) must undergo investigations to determine the potential reversibility of disease, to evaluate the prognosis and to optimize planning of care. All patients with an established, progressive increase in serum creatinine level should be followed with a nephrologist. Adequate preparation for dialysis or transplantation (or both) requires at least 12 months of relatively frequent contact with a renal care team. Nephrologists should provide consultation in a timely manner for any patient with an elevated serum creatinine level. In addition, they should provide advice about what aspects of the condition require particularly urgent or emergency assessment. Sponsors: This clinical practice guideline has been endorsed by the Canadian Society of Nephrology and the College of Family Physicians of Canada. Meeting, teleconference and travel expenses of the Referral Guideline Subcommittee were covered by The Momentum Program, a collaboration between Baxter Corp. and Janssen-Ortho Inc. However, the authors are solely responsible for the editorial content of this article.

Randomized osteopathic manipulation study (ROMANS): pragmatic trial for spinal pain in primary care.

Abstract: Background. Spinal pain is common and frequently disabling. Management guidelines have encouraged referral from primary care for spinal manipulation. However, the evidence base for these recommendations is weak. More pragmatic trials and economic evaluations have been recommended. Objectives. Our aim was to assess the effectiveness and health care costs of a practice-based osteopathy clinic for subacute spinal pain. Methods. A pragmatic randomized controlled trial was carried out in a primary care osteopathy clinic accepting referrals from 14 neighbouring practices in North West Wales. A total of 201 patients with neck or back pain of 2–12 weeks duration were allocated at random between usual GP care and an additional three sessions of osteopathic spinal manipulation. The primary outcome measure was the Extended Aberdeen Spine Pain Scale (EASPS). Secondary measures included SF-12, EuroQol and Short-form McGill Pain Questionnaire. Health care costs were estimated from the records of referring GPs. Results. Outcomes improved more in the osteopathy group than the usual care group. At 2 months, this improvement was significantly greater in EASPS [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.7–9.8] and SF-12 mental score (95% CI 2.7–10.7). At 6 months, this difference was no longer significant for EASPS (95% CI ?1.5 to 10.4), but remained significant for SF-12 mental score (95% CI 1.0–9.9). Mean health care costs attributed to spinal pain were significantly greater by £65 in the osteopathy group (95% CI £32–£155). Though osteopathy also cost £22 more in mean total health care cost, this was not significant (95% CI ?£159 to £142). Conclusion. A primary care osteopathy clinic improved short-term physical and longer term psychological outcomes, at little extra cost. Rigorous multicentre studies are now needed to assess the generalizability of this approach.