Jaundice

The Department will periodically contact patients waiting for an outpatient clinic appointment via SMS, with a link to an electronic form.  This is part of routine waitlist auditing to ensure patient details are up to date.  If you receive this SMS, please update your details.

Availability

North South North West Statewide

Pre-referral work-up

History

All referrals should comply to referral standards and include in particular:

  • Onset of symptoms
  • Past history including previous jaundice
  • Alcohol, smoking and illicit drug use
  • Overseas travel

Tests

Initial work up:

  • LFTs
  • Hepatocellular (elevated transaminases):
    • Viral serology: HAV, HBV, HCV, EBV, CMV
  • Abdominal Ultrasound if cholestatic (elevated ALP & GGT)
  • FBE
  • U&Es
  • If isolated raised bilirubin: haemolysis screen
  • Prothrombin time/INR
  • Immunoglobulins
  • Autoantibodies (SMA, AMA)
  • Clinical evidence of encephalopathy
    • Abdominal ultrasound
    • CT where appropriate

Interim/GP management

To refer a patient with this condition, please see the Gastroenterology clinic page for the full referral process and templates.

For more information please see the Tasmanian Health Pathways website.

Emergency

Suspected acute, severe or fulminant hepatic failure

Direct referral to Emergency Department

Please contact Emergency Department Medical Officer in Charge via RHH switchboard 6166 8308

Urgent / category 1

When patient presents with any of the following, contact Gastroenterology Registrar via switch 6166 8308:

ALT>1000, abnormal INR, encephalopathy

Severe clinical or biochemical hepatocellular jaundice

Refer to Emergency Department OR Liver Clinic (depending on severity)

Obstructive jaundice (dilated ducts)

Semi-urgent / category 2

Unexplained non-obstructive cholestatic jaundice

Red flags are clinical indicators of possible serious underlying conditions requiring further medical intervention. They may or may not indicate an emergency.

Emergency:

Proceed to Emergency Department (ED).
LGH ED Reception  – Phone: (03) 6777 6405  Fax: (03) 6777 5201
MCH ED* – Phone: (03) 6478 5120  Fax: (03) 6441 5923
NWRH ED* – Phone: (03) 6493 6351 Fax: (03) 6464 1926
RHH ED Reception – Phone: (03) 6166 6100  Fax: (03) 6173 0489

Advice for medical practitioners can be given by the Medical Officer In Charge (MOIC) - see HealthPathways Tasmania for contact information.
*MCH and NWRH MOICs request GPs call them prior to referring a patient to ensure the patient is being sent appropriately to a safe destination.

Urgent:

We will endeavour to see these patients within four weeks

Urgent referrals should be accompanied by a phone call to the clinic and the relevant doctor for urgent assessment, or patient should be directed immediately to the Emergency Department.

Semi-urgent:

We will endeavour to see these patients within 12 weeks

Routine:

Next available appointment