We partner with
healthcare organisations
to shape a future that
is connected, secure,
digital and data-driven
Sydney Children's Hospitals Network
We are proud to partner with SCHN, the largest paediatric health service in Australia.
Paediatric specialist referrals have increased by over 25% in the last 3 years. Our platform supports digital referrals, clinical triage and advice and guidance, improving access to specialist care for children and adolescents across NSW.
Kids Health Space
Kids Health Space is a leading paediatric specialist clinic in Campbelltown, Sydney.
Consultmed simplifies the referral process for both patients and healthcare providers via our secure e-referral portal. Referrals are tracked and our software integrates seamlessly with practice management software.
Sydney Paediatric Gastro
Sydney Paediatric Gastro is an experienced team of paediatric specialists with 6 specialist clinics in NSW.
Consultmed allows clinicians and administrators to easily navigate between clinics, managing referrals specific to each site. Patients can choose their healthcare provider and book appointments on the spot.
Research Impact
An electronic cardiac rehabilitation referral system increases cardiac rehabilitation referrals
Article Type:
Retrospective Analysis
Aim:
Determine the effectiveness and efficiency of an e-referral system in cardiology clinic
Summary:
Total referrals to cardiac rehabilitation increased by a factor of 1.8x
Inpatient referrals increased 17-fold
Conclusion:
E-referrals increased uptake of necessary services
Referrals closed on time increased from 40 to 70%
Clinical question answered increased from 50 to 75%
Digital image referral for suspected skin malignancy - a pilot study of 300 patients
Article Type:
Prospective Cohort
Aims:
Assess viability of high quality digital image transfer to refer suspect skin cancers
Summary:
- High quality digital images transferred via secure electronic referral system for diagnosis rather than biopsy
- Interval between referral and diagnosis: 81% reduction
- Interval between referral and treatment: 30% reduction
- Equivalent diagnostic accuracy
Conclusion:
Using pre-consultation information transfer improved management of patients with suspected skin cancers
Health System Implementation of a Tobacco Quitline eReferral
Article Type:
Prospective Cohort
Aims:
Assessing impact of e-referrals on Tobacco Quitline service uptake
Summary:
- Referrals to quitline services and outpatient group classes doubled after inpatient order set was implemented
- 12.2% had a 6 to 12 month follow-up visit where they were documented as non-smoking
Conclusion:
E-referrals improved access to services and automation
Efficiency gains for rheumatology consultation using a novel electronic referral system in a safety-net health setting
Article Type:
Retrospective Cohort
Aims:
Assessing impact of a novel e-referral system on preconsultation, response time and number of visits
Summary:
- 25% of eReferrals resolved without a clinic visit
- Preconsultation exchanges increased over time from 55% (2008) to 74% (2011)
- Consultant response time: 1-4 days
- Face-to-face appointments were required for 63% of the eReferrals that underwent preconsultation
- Wait times stable at 70-80 day
Conclusion:
Clinical triage using an e-referral system reduces face-to-face burden, improving clinician-facing time and availability
Development and evaluation of an electronic hospital referral system: a human factors approach
Article Type:
Cross-sectional study
Aims:
Effect of e-referral implementation on non-elective and emergency presentations in a neurosurgical unit
Summary:
- Referral quality improved with sufficient clinical information from 36.9% to 83.5%
- 35.7% reduction in number of calls to the on-call specialist
- Mean period between admission and surgery for expedited transfers was reduced
Conclusion:
E-referrals improved the quality of referrals received and reduced episodes of inpatient care
Improvement of the efficiency and completeness of neuro-oncology patient referrals to a tertiary center through the implementation of an electronic referral system
Article Type:
Retrospective Cohort
Aims:
Assessing impact of e-Referrals on efficiency and completeness
Summary:
- Median interval between diagnostic imaging to referral: 3 day (e-Referrals) vs. 9 days (paper Proforma) vs 19 days (paper referral)
- Median interval between referral to MDT decision: 3 day (e-Referrals) vs. 2 days (paper Proforma) vs 8 days (paper referral)
- Median interval between diagnostic imaging to surgery: 28 day (e-Referrals) vs. 34 days (paper Proforma) vs 104 days (paper referral)
- Study field completes: all complete (e-Referrals) vs 69-87% (paper Proforma) vs 15-65% (paper referral)
Conclusion:
E-referrals improved referral-to-treatment for patients requiring neuro-oncology management
The impact of integrating electronic referral within a musculoskeletal model of care on wait time to receive orthopaedic care in Ontario
Article Type:
Cross-sectional study
Aims:
Assessing impact of e-Referrals on wait times
Summary:
- Processing time of orthopaedic referrals at central intakes: 21.76 days less than paper-based referrals (p<0.001)
- Wait time until rapid access clinic appointment: 21.42 days less than paper-based referrals (p<0.001)
- Patient satisfaction: 87.7% satisfaction for e-Referral system
0.001)>
Conclusion:
E-referral systems significantly improved wait-times for patients referred for musculoskeletal care