For Health Professionals

Overview

Our dedicated Renal Consult team operates within the Ballarat Base Hospital for acute renal referrals.

Urgent renal conditions such as:

renal transplant
haemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis patient with acute intercurrent illness requiring inpatient admission
major metabolic disturbances e.g. Hyperkalaemia or severe acidosis
acute nephrotic or nephritic syndrome due to acute glomerulonephritis

can be discussed with Renal Registrar through switchboard 03 5320 4000.

Referral to a specialist renal service or Nephrologist is recommended in the following situations:

Persistent eGFR <30mL/min (stage 4 or 5 CKD of any cause)
Persistent significant albuminuria (urine ACR >30 mg/mmol) on 2 early morning urine samples > 3 months apart.
A sustained decreased in eGFR of 25% or more OR a sustained decrease in eGFR of 15mL/min within 12 months
Severe Persistent Hypertension >180/110 or resistant hypertension > 140/90 with 3 or more antihypertensive or suspected Secondary hypertension eg. CKD or Renal artery stenosis
Glomerular haematuria (proven on Urine Phase contrast microscopy and cast analysis) with proteinuria. After excluding Lower Urinary tract conditions and Cytology testing
Anaemia associated with Kidney disease when Haematinics deficiency and haematological causes has been ruled out.
Preparation and regular review for patient on Renal Replacement therapies Dialysis or Transplant
Conservative care approach to End Stage Kidney Disease
Dialysis Education

Stable eGFR >30mL/min
Urine ACR <30mg/mmol (no haematuria)
Controlled blood pressure
Renal calculi requiring Urological management
Renal anatomical lesions including cysts in particular complex cysts that require direct referral to urology
Issues related to renal obstruction, please refer to urology unit

Current Blood Chemistry and Haematology: Full blood count, Urea and electrolytes, Liver function tests, Calcium Phosphate and Magnesium, Fasting Glucose, Lipids and if indicated HbA1c
Spot Urine Albumin creatinine ratio or Protein creatinine ratio and Urine Microscopy for Ref Cell Morphology and casts
Renal Tract Ultra Sound
Current and historic Blood pressure records
Current List of medications and list of medical and surgical history

Two renal clinics are held per week at Ballarat: Tuesday & Wednesday afternoon