Department of Medicine

Faculty of Medicine

Nephrology

Updates

Our fiscal year runs from April 1 to March 31. Average wait time information is updated based on the following schedule:

Quarter Time frame Posted
Q1 Apr 1 – Jun 30 Jul 31
Q2 Jul 1 – Sep 30 Oct 31
Q3 Oct 1 – Dec 31 Jan 31
Q4 Jan 1 – Mar 31 Apr 30

Wait times

Triage category Standard wait time Average wait time*

Nephrology
Priority 1 7 days 3.3 days
Priority 2 30 days 26.8 days
Priority 3 90 days 105.5 days
Priority 4 180 days 182.2 days
Priority 5 365 days 558.3 days
  View chart [PDF - 83 KB]

#N/A - shown if less than six encounters

* Includes data up to December 30, 2023

Triage criteria and referral process for physicians

Nephrology clinic referral DOES NOT APPLY to patients requiring emergency care or urological services.

Nephrology
Emergent
Criteria (not all inclusive)
  • eGFR < 10 mL/min/1.73m2 (new diagnosis)
  • Life threatening uremic signs & symptoms:
    • hyperkalemic > 6.5 mmol/L
    • pulmonary edema
    • pericarditis in the setting of severe renal dysfunction
Process
1) Immediate referral to nearest emergency department
2) PHONE referral site and ask for the nephrologist on call
3) FAX referral after speaking with nephrologist
Urgent:
Priority 1
Criteria (not all inclusive)
  • eGFR < 15mL/min/1.73 m2
  • Rapid decline in eGFR > 20% over days to weeks
  • Suspected rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis
  • ACR > 220 mg/mmol (or PCR > 300 mg/mmol or 24 hour proteinuria > 3g/TV) in non-diabetic
  • Pregancy & CKD (urgent)
Process
1) If patient in shock, refer to emergency department
2) Rule out urinary tract obstruction
3) After excluding shock and GU obstruction, phone referral site and ask for the nephrologist on call
4) FAX referral after speaking with nephrologist
Semi-Urgent: Priority 2
Criteria (not all inclusive)
  • Sub acute renal dysfunction
  • Decline in eGFR > 20% over weeks to months
  • ACR > 220 mg/mmol (or PCR > 300 mg/mmol or 24 hour proteinuria > 3g/TV)
  • Pregnancy & CKD (semi-urgent)
Process
1) Rule out urinary tract obstruction
2) FAX referral
Elective:
Priority 3
Criteria (not all inclusive)
  • eGFR < 30
  • eGFR decline over months (eGFR 30-60 AND eGFR decline > 10mL/min/1.73m2 in 1 year)
  • ACR > 60 mg/mmol in non-diabetic (PCR > 100 mg/mmol or 24 hour proteinuria > 1 g/TV)
Process
1) Rule out obstruction, if history of:
  • nephrolithiasis
  • BPH
  • GU strictures
  • gross hematuria
  • malignancy
  • radiation
  • GU anatomic abnormalities or
  • other risk factors for or symptoms of urinary tract obstruction
2) FAX referral
Elective:
Priority 4
Criteria (not all inclusive)
  • eGFR 30-60 with slow eGFR decline over years
  • ACR > 30 mg/mmol in non-diabetic, age < 70 (PCR > 50 mg/mmol or 24 hour proteinuria > 500 mg/TV)
Process
1) FAX referral
2) Phone consultation available
Elective:
Priority 5
Criteria (not all inclusive)
  • Minor abnormalities in blood, urine or radiological tests
  • Other conditions deemed elective by triage Nephrologist
Process
1) FAX referral
2) Phone consultation available

 

Contact information and forms
Fax 902-473-2675
Mailing address Division of Nephrology
5820 University Avenue
Room 5077 Dickson Building
Halifax, NS B3H 1V8
Nephrologists View list of physicians
Forms Nephrology referral form

 

Learn more about our division
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View the Division of Nephrology