The Rheumatic Health Unit (RHU) situated at St. Clare’s ... · The Rheumatic Health Unit (RHU)...
3
Eastern Health Rheumatology Services Eastern Health is the Provincial Referral Centre for tertiary Rheumatology Services in Newfoundland and Labrador. To ensure patients receive timely access to Outpatient Rheumatology Services a Central Triage and Referral System has been established since 2010. This includes a centralized referral process with a standardized 1-page patient referral form. A new updated form is attached to this letter and available on the Eastern Health website (www.easternhealth.ca) under the tab “For Health Professionals” and then “Forms and Resources”. The Rheumatic Health Unit (RHU) situated at St. Clare’s Mercy Hospital Site in St. John’s is a multi-professional unit offering provision of Rheumatology Care to both outpatients and inpatients. The team consists of Rheumatologists, Postgraduate Medical trainees in Internal Medicine and Orthopedics, 2 Nurse Practitioners (NP), 1 Physiotherapist (PT), 1 Occupational Therapist (OT), Research Nurses, ward nurses, and secretarial support staff. The Nurse Practitioner reviews the referral form for appropriateness and triage. If the patient has joint findings suggestive of an Inflammatory Peripheral Polyarthritis or Ankylosing Spondylitis, the patient is booked for a triage assessment with the Allied Health Professional (PT, OT, or NP) to determine appropriate access to the Service. After assessment by the Allied Health Professional, where appropriate, the patient is then booked for our Rheumatology Health Day Program in which the patient is assessed by the Rheumatologist and other members of the Rheumatic Health Unit Team, for diagnosis, Rheumatology Education, and individualized patient management. Otherwise, t he patient’s name remains on the Central Rheumatology Waiting List for an appointment with the next available Rheumatologist. The Rheumatology Service continues to work to improve timely access to Rheumatology Services for the residents of Newfoundland and Labrador. Dr. Sean Hamilton Divisional Chief of Rheumatology Eastern Health January 27, 2015
Transcript of The Rheumatic Health Unit (RHU) situated at St. Clare’s ... · The Rheumatic Health Unit (RHU)...
Eastern Health Rheumatology Services
Eastern Health is the Provincial Referral Centre for tertiary Rheumatology Services in
Newfoundland and Labrador.
To ensure patients receive timely access to Outpatient Rheumatology Services a Central
Triage and Referral System has been established since 2010. This includes a centralized
referral process with a standardized 1-page patient referral form. A new updated form is
attached to this letter and available on the Eastern Health website (www.easternhealth.ca)
under the tab “For Health Professionals” and then “Forms and Resources”.
The Rheumatic Health Unit (RHU) situated at St. Clare’s Mercy Hospital Site in St. John’s is a
multi-professional unit offering provision of Rheumatology Care to both outpatients and
inpatients.
The team consists of Rheumatologists, Postgraduate Medical trainees in Internal Medicine and
Orthopedics, 2 Nurse Practitioners (NP), 1 Physiotherapist (PT), 1 Occupational Therapist
(OT), Research Nurses, ward nurses, and secretarial support staff.
The Nurse Practitioner reviews the referral form for appropriateness and triage. If the patient
has joint findings suggestive of an Inflammatory Peripheral Polyarthritis or Ankylosing
Spondylitis, the patient is booked for a triage assessment with the Allied Health Professional
(PT, OT, or NP) to determine appropriate access to the Service. After assessment by the
Allied Health Professional, where appropriate, the patient is then booked for our
Rheumatology Health Day Program in which the patient is assessed by the Rheumatologist
and other members of the Rheumatic Health Unit Team, for diagnosis, Rheumatology
Education, and individualized patient management. Otherwise, the patient’s name remains on
the Central Rheumatology Waiting List for an appointment with the next available
Rheumatologist.
The Rheumatology Service continues to work to improve timely access to Rheumatology Services for the residents of Newfoundland and Labrador.
Dr. Sean Hamilton
Divisional Chief of Rheumatology
Eastern Health
January 27, 2015
