The Madigan Referral Guidelines are documents developed by primary care physicians and specialists to facilitate the process of referral from primary care portals to specialty care. These guidelines can also be used as a tool to ensure better use of resources by adjusting the threshold for referral, depending on specific types of care.
It should be stressed that the Madigan Referral Guidelines are only tools
for the provider. The ultimate judgment regarding the appropriateness of any specific therapy or referral must be made by the physician in light of all circumstances presented by an individual patient. Referral guidelines are indexed
and categorized by specialty and
alphabetically on separate pages to facilitate finding the one you are looking for.
Each guideline can be downloaded and printed to be used for future
reference. Referral Guidelines are updated every three years or sooner if necessary.
How the Referral Guidelines are Used:
The care provider may use these guidelines to help determine the best approach to treatment of patients, as well as when to refer to a specialist. If the patient’s diagnosis meets the criteria for specialty care referral, then strong consideration should be given for consultation with the appropriate specialty care clinic. The primary care provider should make note of the "criteria for return to primary care."
Madigan Referral Guidelines are uniformly formatted to include:
1. Diagnosis/Definition
2. Initial Diagnosis and Management
3. Ongoing Management and Objectives
4. Indications for Specialty Care
5. Criteria for Return to Primary Care
Additionally the Referral Guidelines should reference at least one evidence based resource supporting the recommendations. Some guidelines that have not yet had a three-year review may not have references listed.
The care provider may use these guidelines to help determine the best approach to treatment of patients, as well as when to refer to a specialist. If the patient’s diagnosis meets the criteria for specialty care referral, then strong consideration should be given for consultation with the appropriate specialty care clinic. The primary care provider should make note of the "criteria for return to primary care."
For more information, about the guidelines please contact: The Clinical and Referral Guidelines Administrator at 253-968-3013.
