Rhinosinusitis Referral Access Criteria

• Acute bacterial sinusitis deteriorating despite medical treatment – visual disturbance/signs, neurological signs, frontal swelling/severe unilateral or bilateral headache, eye pain, swelling or abnormal eye movement
• Unilateral facial swelling with or without dental sepsis
• Orbital cellulitis

• Nil

• Recurrent Acute Rhinosinusitis
  • episodes must be well documented, clinically significant and adequately treated as per best practice guidelines for primary care including the regular use of intranasal irrigation and intranasal steroids and:
  • frequency:
    • ≥4 episodes per year or
    • ≥2 episodes per year over 3 years

• Chronic Rhinosinusitis
  • At least 3 months history of inflammation of the nose and the paranasal sinuses that persist for >4 weeks despite medical treatment (for example broad spectrum antibiotics, oral steroids, nasal steroids and/or irrigation) and
  • Symptoms must include either:
    • Nasal blockage, obstruction or congestion, or
    • Purulent nasal discharge (anterior or posterior nasal drip), and one or more of the following:
      • facial pain/pressure
      • reduction or loss of smell
      • nasal polyps
  • Abnormal CT scan consistent with sinus disease despite appropriate treatment (generally should be performed after a four-week course of broad spectrum antibiotics)

• Allergic Rhinitis
  • Allergic Rhinitis unresponsive to best practice primary care only if there is an associated physical deformity, for example a deviated septum (generally allergic rhinitis requiring specialist review should be referred to Immunology)            

This information is required to inform accurate and timely triage. If unable to attach reports, please include relevant information/findings in the body of the referral and advise where (provider) investigation/imaging was completed.

• Relevant history, onset, duration, frequency and severity of symptoms including if acute or chronic rhinosinusitis
• Details of previous treatment and outcome including:
  • Previous antibiotics use
  • Previous nasal steroids or irrigation
  • Previous antihistamines
• Previous ENT surgical history

• Appearance of nasal passages and throat including presence or absence of polyps

• CT scan of sinuses (provider and date of scan) where available and providing it will not cause significant delay (not required for allergic rhinitis)

• Nil            

• Nil

• Nil

Category 1

Appointment within 30 days

• Suspected malignancy (radiology suspicion of tumour)

Category 2

Appointment within 90 days

• Complicated sinus disease (extra-sinus extension, suggestive of fungal disease) 

Category 3

Appointment within 365 days

• Chronic and recurrent sinusitis according to description above
• Failed/not responding to maximal medical management
• Chronic nasal obstruction – in the setting of a deviated septum, turbinate hypertrophy, and/or nasal polyps

• Mild acute rhinosinusitis is an excluded condition when the following features apply:
  • Patients with headaches who have a normal CT scan which has been performed when the patient has symptoms
  • Patients who have not had three months of intranasal steroid and nasal lavage treatment
    • See Clinician Assist WA: Rhinosinusitis

• Nil