Colorectal Surgery Consult Note

Completed note

Colorectal Surgeon Consult Note

Patient Identification: An adult patient presents for evaluation of intermittent rectal bleeding.

History of Present Illness:
The patient reports small amounts of bright red blood on toilet tissue over several weeks, usually after passing hard stool. There is mild discomfort with bowel movements but no persistent abdominal pain. Increasing fluids has helped somewhat. No prior colorectal procedure is reported. The patient denies fever, unintended weight loss, or change in usual bowel frequency.

Past Medical History:
- No inflammatory bowel disease or colorectal cancer history reported.

Past Surgical History:
- No abdominal surgery reported.

Medications:
- No regular medication reported.

Allergies:
- No known drug allergies reported.

Family History:
- No known colorectal cancer or polyposis history reported.

Social History:
- No tobacco use reported; alcohol use occasional. Lives with family.

Review of Systems:
- No fever, weight loss, vomiting, diarrhea, or change in bowel habits. Reports intermittent blood on tissue and mild defecation discomfort.

Physical Examination:
- Vitals stable. Abdomen soft and non-tender. No external lesion seen on limited inspection; rectal examination deferred by patient.

Investigations:
- No laboratory, imaging, or endoscopy results available.

Assessment & Plan:
Adult with intermittent bright red rectal bleeding associated with hard stool; a benign anorectal source is possible, though other causes remain in the differential.

1) Rectal bleeding
- Discussed bowel-softening measures and the need to evaluate persistent or recurrent bleeding.
- Arrange appropriate anorectal assessment and consider endoscopic evaluation based on age, risk, and clinical history.
- Reviewed return precautions for heavy bleeding, dizziness, worsening pain, or systemic symptoms.

Illustrative case with invented patient details. This is not a real patient record or clinical guidance. Review each note against your own consultation.

Clinical facts behind the note

Reusable template structure

Colorectal Surgeon Consult Note

Patient Identification: [Patient name, age, gender, with a history of..., presenting with...]

History of Present Illness:
[Detailed description of presenting complaint, including onset, duration, progression, associated symptoms (e.g., pain, bleeding, change in bowel habits, weight loss, fever, discharge), prior interventions, and relevant surgical history. Structure symptoms and associated information into distinct paragraphs. Use full sentences and formal clinical language.]

Past Medical History:
(hyphenated list)
- [Relevant medical conditions, especially gastrointestinal, oncologic, or surgical history]

Past Surgical History:
(hyphenated list)
- [Prior surgeries, dates, and indications]

Medications:
(hyphenated list)
- [Medication name, dose, route, frequency]
- (e.g., Metformin 500 mg oral BID)

Allergies:
(hyphenated list)
- [eg. No known drug allergies (NKDA)]

Family History:
(hyphenated list)
- [Relative: Condition or pertinent diagnosis, especially colorectal cancer, polyposis syndromes, inflammatory bowel disease]

Social History:
(hyphenated list)
- [Tobacco: type, amount, duration, quit date if applicable]
- [Alcohol: type, amount, frequency]
- [Recreational substances: type, amount, frequency]
- [Occupation: current job, exposures]
- [Living situation: who lives with patient, home environment]

Review of Systems:
(hyphenated list)
- [General: fever, weight loss, fatigue]
- [GI: abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, blood in stool, change in bowel habits, tenesmus, incontinence]
- [Other systems as relevant]

Physical Examination:
(hyphenated list)
- [Vital signs with units in one line] (e.g., HR: #, BP: #, T: #, RR: #, O2 sats: #%)
- [General appearance]
- [Abdominal: inspection, palpation, percussion, auscultation findings]
- [Perineal/rectal: inspection, digital rectal exam findings, presence of masses, fistula, fissure, hemorrhoids, tenderness, bleeding]
- [Other relevant systems]

Investigations:
(hyphenated list)
- [Investigation results with units] (e.g., CBC, electrolytes, LFTs, CEA, imaging findings, colonoscopy results, pathology reports)

Assessment & Plan:
[One-sentence patient summary including age, sex, and primary diagnosis]

#) [Assessment as a numbered item for each active issue]
(hyphenated list with each corresponding plan item on a new line)
- [Diagnosis and reasoning]
- [Investigations planned or ordered]
- [Treatment plan, including surgical and non-surgical options]
- [Counselling discussion, including risks, benefits, alternatives]
- [Referrals sent]
- [Follow up plan]
- [Return precautions]