What are the referral criteria for a patient with suspected interstitial lung disease to a specialist clinic?

Refer patients with suspected interstitial lung disease (ILD) to a respiratory specialist for assessment and management ¹.

Referral is indicated if the clinical features, lung function, and radiological findings are suggestive of ILD and a confident diagnosis cannot be made by the multidisciplinary team, or if further diagnostic procedures such as bronchoalveolar lavage, transbronchial biopsy, or surgical lung biopsy are considered ¹.

Patients should be discussed with a multidisciplinary team with expertise in interstitial lung disease, including a consultant respiratory physician, radiologist, and possibly a histopathologist and thoracic surgeon, depending on the diagnostic pathway ¹.

Additionally, if the diagnosis remains uncertain after initial assessment, or if there is a need for further invasive diagnostics, referral for specialist review is recommended ¹.