Diarrhoea with sentinel findings

Diarrhoea with sentinel findings — 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 diarrhoea with sentinel findings with initial primary-care work-up completed

Red flags

Indicate urgent (Category 1) referral or emergency assessment.

Severe diarrhoea with dehydration or when the person is systemically unwell

Routine referral criteria

Determine Category 2 or 3 urgency.

Diarrhoea greater than 4 weeks duration, affecting activities of daily living, with one or more of the following — bloody diarrhoea

Diarrhoea greater than 4 weeks duration, affecting activities of daily living, with one or more of the following — nocturnal diarrhoea

Diarrhoea greater than 4 weeks duration, affecting activities of daily living, with one or more of the following — weight loss (greater than or equal to 5 percent of body weight in previous 6 months)

Diarrhoea greater than 4 weeks duration, affecting activities of daily living, with one or more of the following — abdominal or rectal mass

Diarrhoea greater than 4 weeks duration, affecting activities of daily living, with one or more of the following — inflammatory markers in the blood or stool

Diarrhoea greater than 4 weeks duration, affecting activities of daily living, with one or more of the following — iron deficiency that persists despite correction of potential causative factors

Usually managed in primary care

Diarrhoea less than 4 weeks duration without sentinel findings