Kelvin is on holiday in Far North Queensland

Kelvin lives in Croydon, Victoria with his wife Betty. He is reasonably healthy, only suffering from hypertension that is well controlled with medication. 

Kelvin has an allergy to Penicillin. Over a period of three weeks he develops cramps and pain in his abdomen when he eats fatty food.

Kelvin is under the care of Dr Adam Jones at his local GP Practice.

Kelvin presents to a medical centre

While on holidays his condition gets worse and he presents to a medical centre in the town he is staying.

Greeted by medical centre receptionist

Lucy Black, the receptionist is logged into her computer and Kelvin is then added to the waiting list by Lucy.
Kelvin’s IHI number is retrieved from the HI service electronically and seamlessly added to the local practice record. Kelvin takes a seat in the waiting room.

GP consultation

Dr Grant opens Kelvin’s medical record on his PC which now also includes his Healthcare Identifier.
Kelvin complains to Dr Grant of cramps in his stomach, especially after eating pizza and fish and chips which he has suffered from for about three weeks.
Dr Grant performs anexamination and makes a provisional diagnosis of gallstones. He then orders an ultrasound which confirms the presence of gallstones.
After discussing with Kelvin, Dr Grant refers to a General Surgeon: Dr James Brecker at Bay Hill Hospital. The referral is sent electronically via secure messaging.

Specialist consultation

Dr James Brecker receives the e-referral. Kelvin is booked in for an appointment by his GP’s staff.
Dr Brecker reviews Kelvin’s ultrasound, performs an examination and determines that Kelvin needs surgery to remove the gallstones.

Admission to hospital for surgery

Kelvin is admitted to the General Surgery ward.
Kelvin then undergoes surgery by Dr Brecker, and he makes an uneventful recovery. Kelvin is discharged three days later, much improved and is referred back to his GP for follow up. An e-discharge summary is sent to Dr Adam Jones, his local GP.

Pharmacy

Kelvin takes his prescription from Dr Brecker to a Community Pharmacy. The pharmacist scans in the prescription barcode. The prescription is retrieved from the PES (Prescription Exchange Service) and dispensed.

Pathology

As per the recommendations on Kelvin’s discharge summary, he has a follow-up blood test for liver function done on the day he is to return home from holiday. The GP has requested that the pathology test results be copied to Kelvin’s usual GP.

Returns from holiday

Kelvin goes home without receiving his results but on his return home he goes to his usual GP who has received the blood test results and a copy of the discharge summary. After consultation with Kelvin, Dr Jones confirms that the blood tests are normal.
What a wonderful outcome!