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eReferral eServices MSK MSK model of care Musculoskeletal model of care

eReferral improves the efficiency of​the MSK referral pathway in Northern Ontario​

eReferral enables an efficient Musculoskeletal (MSK) model of care in Northern Ontario including the centralized intake and physiotherapy assessment of hip, knee and low back referrals.

Key takeaways

The Sault Area Hospital (SAH) is part of the North Eastern Ontario Hip, Knee and Low Back Central Intake Program where an Advanced Practice Physiotherapist (APP) initially assesses all patients that their primary care practitioner has referred through both fax and eReferral.  Those for whom joint replacement or spinal surgery might be helpful are referred on to a surgeon. 

The referral flow

1. Referral

Since go-live in 2018, APPs at SAH have assessed 2,020 patients.

2. Central intake

86% of referrals were received complete and 83% of referrals have the necessary x-rays attached. CI is available to follow up on the incomplete referrals and ensuring all info is present before sending to clinicians.

3. APP Assesment

Only 56% of patients were referred on for a surgical consultation, when prior to the implementation of the model, all patients would be seen for a surgical consult.

4. Follow up

The MSK model of care improves efficiency and helps reduce surgical backlog by only sending appropriate patients for in person surgical consult

Key facts

The MSK assessment model is currently operating throughout the province of Ontario.

Ocean eReferral has supported the processing of over 58,000 referrals for hip, knee and low back assessments in Ontario

Referrals are currently sent from primary care to the central intake via fax or eReferral

Referrals are assessed at central intake for completeness to ensure they include all relevant patient information as well as any required imaging, any faxed referrals are also transcribed into eReferral and sent to the APPs via eReferral

The APPs determine if each patient is suitable for surgical intervention through a physical assessment

With Ocean eReferral platform, some surgeons are seeing patients the same week. I triage, do a virtual or in-person consult and send them on, sometimes within a week of getting them from Central Intake! As well, I offer individual patients strategies that can help with symptom reduction and joint function.

Rhonda Mathews
APP at SAH​

It is helpful to assist in keeping track of referrals and ensures all necessary information from the referring doctor has been included on the original referral…As well, this program updates the referring office once the patient has a scheduled appointment.

Kaylie Grzelak

Medical Office Assistant​​

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