E-Consults

Please click here for more information about E-Consults, including how to place the order and the general workflow.

E-consults (electronic consults) are available to any UNC Health physician or advanced practice provider. At present, E-consults are not available to providers outside the UNC Health System.

E-consults are for focused clinical questions that a pulmonologist can answer using solely the information available in EPIC, without seeing the patient. E-consults are not for logistical questions or for questions that can be easily answered by consulting UpToDate or clinical guidelines. E-consults should not be used for patients who already have a clinic visit scheduled or have previously been seen by providers in our practice. Because specialists have two business days to respond, E-consults are not for emergencies.

Some common questions that Pulmonology has received and successfully addressed through E-consults are:

• What is the appropriate imaging follow up for a lung nodule (or other abnormality)?
• What additional testing should be done to evaluate a cause for dyspnea?
• What is the next appropriate inhaled medication to add to this patient’s regimen for uncontrolled symptoms?
• Is this medication appropriate for my patient, given their lung disease?
• What pulmonary function testing should be ordered based on my patient’s symptoms?