Constipation referral checklist

Urgency tier

• Same-day escalation for obstruction concern, severe pain, vomiting, or bleeding instability.
• Expedited referral for persistent alarm features or treatment failure.
• Routine referral for chronic refractory constipation without acute instability.

Minimum pre-referral workup

• Symptom duration, stool pattern, and impact on function.
• Medication, diet, hydration, and mobility review.
• Alarm-feature screen and initial management response.

Referral packet checklist

• Baseline clinical history and alarm-feature findings.
• Investigations completed and treatment trial outcomes.
• Relevant comorbidities and medication list.

Pre-referral optimization tasks

• Continue bowel regimen and hydration strategy pending specialist review.
• Reinforce return precautions for obstruction or bleeding symptoms.
• Plan interval reassessment for trajectory monitoring.

References

• Digestive Health Foundation resources (opens in a new tab)

Something out of date or unclear? Suggest an update. Leave out any patient details.