the rheumatic health unit (rhu) situated at st. clare’s ... · the rheumatic health unit (rhu)...

Eastern Health Rheumatology Services

Eastern Health is the Provincial Referral Centre for tertiary Rheumatology Services in

Newfoundland and Labrador.

To ensure patients receive timely access to Outpatient Rheumatology Services a Central

Triage and Referral System has been established since 2010. This includes a centralized

referral process with a standardized 1-page patient referral form. A new updated form is

attached to this letter and available on the Eastern Health website (www.easternhealth.ca)

under the tab “For Health Professionals” and then “Forms and Resources”.

The Rheumatic Health Unit (RHU) situated at St. Clare’s Mercy Hospital Site in St. John’s is a

multi-professional unit offering provision of Rheumatology Care to both outpatients and

inpatients.

The team consists of Rheumatologists, Postgraduate Medical trainees in Internal Medicine and

Orthopedics, 2 Nurse Practitioners (NP), 1 Physiotherapist (PT), 1 Occupational Therapist

(OT), Research Nurses, ward nurses, and secretarial support staff.

The Nurse Practitioner reviews the referral form for appropriateness and triage. If the patient

has joint findings suggestive of an Inflammatory Peripheral Polyarthritis or Ankylosing

Spondylitis, the patient is booked for a triage assessment with the Allied Health Professional

(PT, OT, or NP) to determine appropriate access to the Service. After assessment by the

Allied Health Professional, where appropriate, the patient is then booked for our

Rheumatology Health Day Program in which the patient is assessed by the Rheumatologist

and other members of the Rheumatic Health Unit Team, for diagnosis, Rheumatology

Education, and individualized patient management. Otherwise, the patient’s name remains on

the Central Rheumatology Waiting List for an appointment with the next available

Rheumatologist.

The Rheumatology Service continues to work to improve timely access to Rheumatology Services for the residents of Newfoundland and Labrador.

Dr. Sean Hamilton

Divisional Chief of Rheumatology

Eastern Health

January 27, 2015