How should I refer?

To refer your patient to a PAH Designated Centre, follow these steps:
  1. Use PH Connect to construct a comprehensive referral document with the information needed by the PAH Expert
  2. Locate your nearest PAH Designated Centre by getting in touch with the Pulmonary Hypertension Society of Australia and New Zealand (PHSANZ)
  3. Refer your patient, including all the information required by the PAH Designated Centre (examples below)
Recommendation example from the PH Connect tool

Information to provide when referring a patient

  • Details of all tests undertaken (ideally non-invasive tests such as echo, ECG, PFT and chest X-ray)
  • Comprehensive reports and images of all tests (to be sent with the patient)
  • Specific requirements for certain PAH Designated Centres (e.g. name of doctor)

Referring with PH Connect

  1. Use the PH Connect tool for guidance on completing a comprehensive referral to a PAH Designated Centre.

  2. Contact the Pulmonary Hypertension Society of Australia and New Zealand (PHSANZ) for advice on the most appropriate PAH Designated Centre for referral.

Footnotes
ECG=electrocardiography; echo=echocardiography; PH=pulmonary hypertension; PFT=pulmonary function testing.
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Do you need guidance on referring to a PAH specialist?

Complete a short questionnaire to receive instant feedback.

This content is intended for Australian healthcare professionals. For more information on pulmonary hypertension, please contact your healthcare professional.
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The information a reader is about to be referred to may not comply with the Australian regulatory requirements. Further information relevant to the Australian environment is available from the Company or via the Product Information.

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The information a reader is about to be referred to may not comply with the Australian regulatory requirements. Further information relevant to the Australian environment is available from the Company or via the Product Information.

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The information a reader is about to be referred to may not comply with the Australian regulatory requirements. Further information relevant to the Australian environment is available from the Company or via the Product Information.

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The information a reader is about to be referred to may not comply with the Australian regulatory requirements. Further information relevant to the Australian environment is available from the Company or via the Product Information.

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The information a reader is about to be referred to may not comply with the Australian regulatory requirements. Further information relevant to the Australian environment is available from the Company or via the Product Information.

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The information a reader is about to be referred to may not comply with the Australian regulatory requirements. Further information relevant to the Australian environment is available from the Company or via the Product Information.

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The information a reader is about to be referred to may not comply with the Australian regulatory requirements. Further information relevant to the Australian environment is available from the Company or via the Product Information.

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The information a reader is about to be referred to may not comply with the Australian regulatory requirements. Further information relevant to the Australian environment is available from the Company or via the Product Information.

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World Health Organization functional class (WHO-FC) for patients with PH3,5

This system grades PH severity according to the patient’s functional status, by linking symptoms with activity limitations. WHO-FC remains a powerful predictor of outcomes in patients with PAH.

WHO - FC Description
I
Patients with PH in whom there is no limitation of usual physical activity; ordinary physical activity does not cause increased dyspnoea, fatigue, chest pain, or presyncope.
II
Patients with PH who have mild limitation of physical activity. There is no discomfort at rest, but normal physical activity causes increased dyspnoea, fatigue, chest pain, or presyncope.
III
Patients with PH who have a marked limitation of physical activity. There is no discomfort at rest, but less than ordinary activity causes increased dyspnoea, fatigue, chest pain, or presyncope.
IV
Patients with PH who are unable to perform any physical activity at rest and who may have signs of right ventricular failure. Dyspnoea and/or fatigue may be present at rest, and symptoms are increased by almost any physical activity.
Adapted from McGoon M, et al. 2004.5
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