COPD

This condition is treated in the Respiratory and Sleep Medicine clinic.

Patients with COPD where there are the following concerns may be referred:

• Diagnostic uncertainty
• Unusual symptoms e.g. haemoptysis
• Rapid decline in FEV1
• Moderate to severe COPD
• Cor Pulmonale
• Respiratory failure and assessment for supplemental oxygen
• Assessment for pulmonary rehabilitation
• Assessment for lung transplantation
• Patients with frequent exacerbations
• Bullous lung disease
• COPD in patients less than 40 years of age
• Assessment for lung volume reduction procedures

Emergency Referral Criteria

Criteria for Emergency include: 

Emergency Referral Criteria

• Severe, acute exacerbation of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
• COPD with respiratory failure

If you, or someone else, are experiencing a serious and life-threatening injury or illness call triple zero (000) immediately or go to the nearest Emergency Department.

Learn more about when to access emergency care and non-emergency care options if the injury or illness is not serious or life-threatening.

Statewide Referral Criteria (SRC)

Criteria for referral to public hospital specialist clinic services

Red flags are clinical indicators of possible serious underlying conditions requiring further medical intervention. They may or may not indicate an emergency.

Urgent (Category 1)

• COPD with worsening right heart failure

We will endeavour to see these patients within four weeks.

Urgent referrals should be accompanied by a phone call to the Respiratory Department and/or the relevant doctor for urgent assessment.

Semi-urgent (Category 2)

• Recurrent acute exacerbations or acute presentations to emergency
• Uncontrolled but stable symptoms on daily basis that limit ADLs
• Significant co-morbidities
• Requiring assessment for oxygen therapy

Routine (Category 3)

• Diagnostic uncertainty
• Stable COPD for consideration for pulmonary rehabilitation 

Note that following assessment, your referral may be forwarded to the Pulmonary Rehabilitation service on your behalf where appropriate.

Information to be included in the referral

(Referral may be returned without this)

Essential supporting information

Pathology

• Sputum M/C/S

Imaging

• CXR

Investigations/other

• Spirometry (if available)

Additional information

• Functional status/ - including duration and severity of symptoms and including impact on Activity of Daily Living
• Current and previous medications/treatment and efficacy
• Comorbidities
• Smoking/occupational history
• Immunisation status

Interim/GP management

To refer a patient with this condition, please see the Respiratory and Sleep Medicine clinic page for the full referral process and templates.

Refer to the COPDX guidelines

1. Confirm diagnosis
2. Optimise function
3. Prevent deterioration
4. Develop support
5. Manage exacerbations

For more information:

• HealthPathways Tasmania - COPD
• HealthPathways Tasmania

Availability

View all clinic availability