A Referral Note communicates pertinent information from a provider who is requesting services of another provider of clinical or non-clinical services. The information in this document includes the reason for the referral and additional information that would augment decision making and care delivery.

Examples of referral situations are:

• When a patient is referred from a family physician to a cardiologist for cardiac evaluation.
• When patient is sent by a cardiologist to an emergency department for angina.
• When a patient is referred by a nurse practitioner to an audiologist for hearing screening.
• When a patient is referred by a hospitalist to social services.