Triage Framework

Urgent Referral Pathway

Use this clinical guide to determine referral urgency and access pathways for patients presenting with suspected cranial, spinal, or peripheral nerve pathology.

Interactive Clinical Tool

GP Urgent Triage Matrix & Fast-Track Referral Builder

Input patient symptoms to calculate clinical triage category, verify imaging protocols, and generate formatted EMR referral text.

1. Clinical Symptoms & Red-Flag Checklist

Cauda Equina Red Flags (Urinary retention/incontinence, saddle anaesthesia, lax anal sphincter)Emergency surgical decompression required within 24 hours to prevent permanent deficit.

Acute Rapidly Progressive Motor Weakness (e.g., new foot drop < 48 hours, profound arm weakness)Requires emergency neurosurgical evaluation within 24 hours.

Acute Intracranial Pressure Signs / Rapid Cranial Deficit (Severe headache with papilloedema, acute cranial nerve palsy)Immediate neurosurgical assessment needed for intracranial mass or hydrocephalus.

Subacute Motor Weakness (MRC Grade 3–4/5 weakness, e.g., progressive wrist drop or knee instability)Urgent evaluation within 7 days recommended to preserve neural function.

Severe Intractable Night Pain with Prior Cancer History (Suspected spinal metastasis)Urgent staging and spinal decompression assessment recommended within 7 days.

Severe Intractable Radicular Pain Refractory to Max Analgesia (> 7 days duration)Urgent neurosurgical consultation for nerve root decompression within 7 days.

Chronic Axial Spine Pain or Stable Mild Radiculopathy (No progressive motor deficit)Routine outpatient consultation within 2–3 weeks.

Mild Peripheral Nerve Entrapment (e.g., mild Carpal Tunnel / Ulnar Neuropathy without muscle wasting)Routine assessment and electrodiagnostic review within 3 weeks.

2. Diagnostics / Imaging Status

3. Symptom Onset Duration

4. Fast-Track EMR Referral Payload Builder

Fill in optional patient/GP details below to generate a pre-formatted referral text block ready to copy directly into MedicalDirector, Best Practice, or Genie.

Referring GP Name

Medical Clinic Name

Patient Initials / Ref ID

Clinical History & Objective Examination Notes

EMR Formatted Text Payload (Copy & Paste into MedicalDirector / Best Practice)

NEUROSURGICAL REFERRAL SUMMARY — DR ALES ALIASHKEVICH
--------------------------------------------------
REFERRING GP: [GP Name]
CLINIC: [Clinic Name]
PATIENT INITIALS/ID: [Patient ID/Initials]
TRIAGE CATEGORY: CATEGORY 3 — ROUTINE CONSULTATION
RECOMMENDED TIMEFRAME: Outpatient consultation within 2–3 Weeks

CLINICAL SYMPTOMS & RED FLAGS:
- No specific red flag symptoms selected

SYMPTOM DURATION: 1 TO 4 WEEKS
IMAGING STATUS: MRI COMPLETED

CLINICAL HISTORY & OBJECTIVE FINDINGS:
Patient presenting with neurosurgical symptoms for expert evaluation.

RECOMMENDED MANDATORY IMAGING ATTACHED:
- 1.5T / 3T MRI Spine/Brain (Report & Images attached)
- Plain X-Rays / CT scan if MRI contraindicated

SECURE TRANSMISSION CHANNELS:
- HealthLink EDI: mineuro
- Medical Objects: mineuro
- Secure Email: info@mineuro.com.au
- Urgent GP Hotline: +61 3 9000 0001
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Tier 1 • Emergency / Same-Day Escalation

Emergency Department Routing

Key Presentations & Symptoms

Cauda Equina Syndrome (CES): New or progressive urinary retention/incontinence, fecal incontinence, saddle anaesthesia, or sudden bilateral sciatica/leg weakness.
Acute Cervical Myelopathy: Rapid onset or progressive clumsiness in both hands, loss of balance, or gait spasticity.
Severe Intracranial Mass Effect: Sudden onset hemiparesis, sudden vision loss, severe headache accompanied by projectile vomiting or altered conscious state.

Required Action

Do not send an electronic referral. Direct the patient immediately to the nearest tertiary Emergency Department.

To discuss emergency neurosurgical transfer, contact Dr Aliashkevich directly via the GP-only hotline:

+61 3 9000 0001

Tier 2 • Urgent Outpatient Clinic (1 - 2 Weeks)

Priority Consultation Review

Key Presentations & Symptoms

Stable Myelopathy: Cervical myelopathy with mild, long-standing, or stable symptoms.
Progressive Monoparesis: Lumbar radiculopathy with mild-to-moderate motor weakness (e.g., new foot drop).
Incidental Intracranial Lesion: Small meningioma, stable brain aneurysm, or suspected low-grade brain tumour without acute symptoms.

Required Action

Submit a secure referral via HealthLink (EDI: mineuro) or Medical Objects. Mark the subject line prominently as "URGENT REVIEW".

Please attach all relevant MRI or CT scan reports. We will contact the patient within 24 hours to schedule a consultation within 7 to 14 days.

Tier 3 • Standard Outpatient (2 - 6 Weeks)

Standard Consultation Review

Key Presentations & Symptoms

Chronic Back & Neck Pain: Axial spinal pain of arthritic origin without radicular weakness or myelopathy signs.
Stable Radicular Pain: Sciatica or arm pain controlled with oral medication.
Peripheral Nerve Entrapment: Symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome or ulnar neuropathy without severe motor muscle wasting.

Required Action

Submit a standard secure electronic referral. We will coordinate directly with the patient to arrange the next available consultation slot, typically within 2 to 6 weeks.