​Guide for Physicians Referring to the Leukemia Clinic​

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​​​Rapid Assesment Clinic (RAC)

Who do we see?

Patients with suspected or confirmed diagnosis of acute leukemia or high risk myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS)*

* What about consultations for other bone marrow disorders

How does the clinic work?

Newly referred patients will be seen within 24-48 hours of receiving the referral. Appointments will be scheduled in the outpatient Hematology Clinic on the 2nd floor, Monday to Friday from 9:00am-5:00pm. Please note that visits usually take 6-8 hours.

The goal of the consultation is to assess the patient, provide preliminary diagnosis, and discuss treatment options in one visit, if possible. A second visit is often required.

The goal of the consultation is to assess the patient, provide preliminary diagnosis, and discuss treatment options in one visit, if possible. A second visit is often required.

How can I refer a patient?

1
Contact the staff leukemia physician on call to discuss your patient by paging them via the hospital switchboard at 416-946-4501 ext. 3155
2
Once your patient has been accepted, you will be asked to fax a referral form and package to the New Patient Referrals Team at 416-946-2900. To avoid any delays, please include the following information in the referral package:
  • Referral letter and/or consultation note
  • Blood work
  • Relevant imaging/diagnostic reports
  • Pathology reports (if official reports are not yet available, please indicate which analyses are pending, and specify the laboratory processing the specimens.)

Referral Forms
Supporting Documents

For patients coming from another hospital

Please complete the Patient Transfer Summary Form [PDF] within one hour of sending the patient by ambulance. Patients coming via ambulance will be directed to arrive at the Urgent Care Clinic, which is on the 2nd floor at Princess Margaret Cancer Centre. The Urgent Care Clinic opens at 9:00am. Be sure to read the Princess Margaret's policy about transferring patients to RAC from another hospital.

The Acute Leukemia Rapid Assessment Clinic is an outpatient clinic. In order to care for patients safely in this setting, they must meet the following criteria.

Outpatient Clinic Acceptance Criteria

For patients not meeting these criteria, or questions about suitability for assessment in an outpatient setting, the referring physician should discuss with the Leukemia Physician on call whether a direct admission to the ward or to the ICU may be warranted.

If the patient's clinical status deteriorates after the referral to Princess Margaret Cancer Centre has been accepted, the referring physician/institution MUST contact the Leukemia phys​​ician on call prior to sending the patient, to inform the receiving physician of this change, and to discuss if an alternative plan is required.

For admitted patients, please send the patient with a hospital escort, and with all of the medications your patient may need for their visit.

What to Expect After You Make Your Referral


Standard Referral

To complete the standard referral process:

1
Download and complete the appropriate referral form.
2
Prepare the following supporting documents:
  • Referral letter and/or consultation note
  • Blood work
  • Relevant imaging/diagnostic reports
  • Pathology reports (if official reports are not yet available, please indicate which analyses are pending, and specify the laboratory processing the specimens.)
3
Fax the completed form and all supporting documents to the fax number provided on the referral form.
4
The referral will be reviewed to ensure that it is complete. If the referral form is incomplete or if documents are missing, the referral form will be returned to you.
5
The referral office will contact you to provide information about the patient’s first appointment.
6
Your office is responsible for providing the patient with the appointment information. This includes time and location, and important documents, test results and imaging that they must bring.

Referral Forms




Go to the Leukemia Clinic​​​

​​​​​​​​​​​

https://www.uhn.ca/PrincessMargaret/Health_Professionals/Patient_Referral/Pages/dr_referral_psychosocial_oncology.aspx
https://www.uhn.ca/PrincessMargaret/Education/Continuing_Education_Programs/Pages/continuing_education_programs.aspx
Last reviewed: 6/24/2023
Last modified: 11/2/2023 5:48 AM
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