Rectal bleeding - gastroenterology

Rectal bleeding - gastroenterology — referral criteria for Gastroenterology services.

Full SRC reference

Eligibility

At least one must be met for the patient to be eligible for referral.

Clinically suspected or confirmed rectal bleeding - gastroenterology with initial primary-care work-up completed

Red flags

Indicate urgent (Category 1) referral or emergency assessment.

Potentially life-threatening symptoms suggestive of acute severe lower gastrointestinal tract bleeding

Routine referral criteria

Determine Category 2 or 3 urgency.

Rectal bleeding in patients with any of the following — 40 years or older

Rectal bleeding in patients with any of the following — unintended weight loss (greater than or equal to 5 percent of body weight in previous 6 months)

Rectal bleeding in patients with any of the following — abdominal or rectal mass

Rectal bleeding in patients with any of the following — recent change in bowel habits

Rectal bleeding in patients with any of the following — iron deficiency that persists despite correction of potential causative factors

Rectal bleeding in patients with any of the following — patient or family history of bowel cancer (first degree relative younger than 55 years)

Usually managed in primary care

Persistent but unchanged symptoms previously investigated
If the patient has had a full colonoscopy in the last 2 years for the same symptoms
Untreated anal fissures
Bleeding is known to be coming from haemorrhoids