The referrals process is for urgent cases.
- All new patients require a referral. The Gl clinic does not have a standard referral form.
- For general referrals (not Complex Feeding and Nutrition), write your own referral letter and fax it to us. Please include relevant investigations and growth curves.
- If you are stating that the referral is "urgent", please specify why.
- You can suggest if you prefer that the patient be seen via Videoconference (particularly for remote / outlying communities), or in Outreach clinic (presently in Prince George, Nanaimo, Victoria, and Kelowna). Not all requests can be honoured.
- A division member will triage the referral and a cover letter will sent back to the referring office. Please take this as a receipt of referral and unless specified, no action is required. Our booking secretary will contact the families directly with the appointment, usually one month prior to the appointment.
- If there is a change in clinical status or new information, feel free to send an update and then we can review whether this will change the original triaging status.
Referrals for G-tubes (gastrostomy tubes) should continue to go to General Surgery (G-tube referral form) or if appropriate Interventional Radiology. A referral to GI may be appropriate if there is a family or doctor requesting a review regarding the necessity of the G-tube.
Patients who have two readings of tTG > 10 ULN (spaced by 1 month) are considered to meet non-biopsy diagnosis criteria for celiac disease with an accuracy of > 95% . Referred patients will be reviewed by our dietitians and teachings related to gluten free diet will take place.
Patients with tTG > 2 ULN and < 10 ULN should still go on to have upper endoscopy and biopsies (after consultation). It is important these patients remain on a gluten containing diet.
Patients with tTG readings < 2 ULN should should be followed with serial readings and should not implement a gluten free diet. Readings at this level are non-specific and may not be accepted for review.
