RED FLAGS FOR CCA
Learning | Topic | Red flags | Referral timescale |
Gastrointestinal | Dyspepsia | Blood in vomit or stools Difficulty swallowing Unexpected weight loss Over 40 years and first presentation Pain radiating down arm/cardiac association | 5-7 days Immediate if cardiac suspicion |
Constipation | Blood in stools Nausea or vomiting Abdominal pain Changes in bowel habit >2 weeks | 2-3 days with OTC product 2 weeks dietary advice | |
Skin Part 1
| Contact Dermatitis | Signs of infection Facial involvement Widespread area | 7 days if OTC product recommended |
Respiratory | Cough | Chest pain Pain on inspiration Wheezing/Shortness of breath Coughing up blood | More than 3 weeks duration |
| Hayfever (seasonal allergic rhinitis) | Muscle ache/chills/fatigue/dry cough and vulnerable group Difficulty breathing | 2 weeks |
Ears, eyes and oral | Conjunctivitis
| Loss of vision Visual disturbances Photophobia Red eye – around coloured part of eye Eye injury history related to presenting complaint Recent eye surgery Pain | 5 days if OTC chloramphenicol recommended |
Mouth ulcers (aphthous ulcers) | Painless ulcer Ulcers > 1 cm in diameter or ulcers occurring in large number (crops of 5-10 or more) More than 3 weeks Associated diarrhoea | 7 days | |
Sore throat | Tonsillar exudate Severe dysphagia Difficult breathing High temperature | 3-4 days if OTC product recommended | |
Block 3:Central nervous system | Musculoskeletal – strains, sprains | Weakness/numbness/tingling Suspected fracture | 4 weeks
|
Headache and migraine | Different/more severe than previous headaches Head injury Meningitis/sepsis symptoms: neck stiffness/vomiting/fever/rash/fainting/blackouts/ seizures | >10 days |