Head injury referral checklist

Urgency tier

• Immediate emergency assessment for neurologic deterioration, repeated vomiting, seizure, or altered consciousness; routine referral must not delay emergency transfer.
• Expedited referral for persistent post-concussion symptoms affecting function.
• Routine referral for non-urgent prolonged recovery requiring specialist support.

Minimum pre-referral workup

• Injury mechanism details with timeline of symptoms.
• Neurologic exam and cognitive symptom profile.
• Risk factors including anticoagulation and prior concussion history.

Referral packet checklist

• Structured post-injury symptom progression summary.
• Objective findings and any imaging/testing already done.
• Work/school impact and recovery-plan details.

Pre-referral optimization tasks

• Reinforce strict red-flag return precautions.
• Continue graded return-to-activity guidance where appropriate.
• Arrange close interim follow-up until specialist assessment.

References

• Living Concussion Guidelines Diagnosis and safe discharge (opens in a new tab)

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