Referral

Health professionals who believe a patient may be in need of our service should contact us as soon as possible – we promote an early activation approach and aim for the most timely transfer and access to definitive care.

When to call ARV

• Telephone advice and assistance relating to the clinical care of critically ill patients (and related administrative concerns); Adult emergency retrieval services for time critical and critically ill patients across Victoria
• Coordination of bed access and inter-hospital transfer for critically ill adult patients
  • That is, into an intensive care, high dependency or coronary care unit, or to a destination that will provide a critical intervention or procedure
  • Time critical patients who are not being referred directly to a critical care unit may also be referred to ARV where routine referral mechanisms have failed. Examples include neurosurgical emergencies, vascular emergencies, and complex medical patients who are deteriorating and are likely to become critical care patients.

Referral form: This form outlines the information we need from you at the time of your call to our service. It may also serve as a transfer letter for your patient.

ARV is not responsible for coordination of routine or non-critical care interhospital transfers.