Rectal bleeding - general surgery

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

Full SRC reference

Eligibility

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

Clinically suspected or confirmed rectal bleeding - general surgery 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

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

Routine referral criteria

Determine Category 2 or 3 urgency.

Unexplained rectal bleeding where a differential diagnosis has been excluded

Rectal bleeding with recent change in bowel habits, unintended weight loss (more than 5 percent of body weight in previous 6 months) or abdominal or rectal mass

Rectal bleeding with iron deficiency that persists despite correction of potential causative factors or rectal bleeding that persists despite appropriate treatment for more than 6 weeks

Usually managed in primary care

Rectal bleeding with a known cause where serious colorectal pathology has been excluded and the symptoms remain unchanged, are occasional, or have resolved.