Southern Oregon Veterinary Specialty Center
Referrals
Overview
At Southern Oregon Veterinary Specialty Center (SOVSC), collaborative medicine is at the heart of our mission. We sincerely appreciate the trust you place in our team and view every referral as a vital partnership. By working together, we ensure that each patient, and their family, remains the central focus of care, with the goal of achieving the best possible clinical outcome and a seamless return to your practice for ongoing management.
Referring to our Emergency Department
Our team is committed to seamless communication and continuity of care for your urgent cases. To facilitate a smooth transition for your clients and patients, we request the following steps prior to transfer:
Discuss Goals & Expectations: Clarify the anticipated level of care, such as ICU hospitalization or advanced diagnostics, and discuss potential costs to ensure owners are prepared for the financial requirements of emergency-level care.
DVM-to-DVM Consultation: We strongly encourage direct doctor-to-doctor conversation before transport. This allows our team to confirm current capacity, provide stabilization recommendations, and prepare life-saving equipment in advance of arrival.
Provide Comprehensive Documentation: To avoid duplication of diagnostics and expedite treatment, please send:
Full Medical history and recent exam findings
In-house and reference laboratory results
Imaging files (radiographs, ultrasound, or CT/MRI)
Detailed treatment sheets, including exact times, dosages, and fluids administered
Specialty Referral Process
While a formal referral is not required for clients to seek specialty care, it is highly recommended to ensure coordinated treatment planning and efficient communication.
Before You Refer
Financial Transparency: Help owners understand that initial consultation costs can range from the exam fee alone to broader packages including advanced diagnostics like computed tomography (CT), ultrasonography, or endoscopic and surgical procedures.
Urgent Transfers: For emeregencies requiring immediate specialty intervention, please call our primary emergency number so we can connect you directly with a specialist to coordinate the handoff.
What to Include
To enable a focused initial assessment, please submit:
Historical and current medical records.
All imaging in DICOM format (the standard for high-quality medical imaging) or accessible links.
Ancillary data such as patient photographs, videos of clinical signs, or cytology slides.
Specific clinical questions you would like our specialists to address.
How Referrals Are Processed
Intake: Our referral coordinator contacts the client to schedule based on the patient’s acuity (the severity of their illness) and clinic availability.
Specialist Review: Our board-certified specialists review all submitted records and imaging prior to the visit to prepare an evidence-based plan.
Collaborative Follow-Up: After the consultation, a written summary is emailed to you. We encourage you to review these recommendations with the owner to maintain your role as their primary medical advocate.
Specialty Availability & Clinician Hours
Our specialists are available for consultations and urgent matter discussions during the following hours:
Internal Medicine
Dr. Winters
Monday – Wednesday (8a – 6p)
Thursday (8a-12p)
Dr. Applegate
Friday – Sunday (8a – 6p)
Surgery
Dr. Fugazzi
Wednesday – Friday (8a – 6p)
Dr. Riddle
Monday – Thursday (8a – 6p)
Note for Referring Veterinarians: If you need to reach a specific service for a case discussion, please contact our Client Services team. They can often provide immediate answers or facilitate a direct doctor-to-doctor consultation.
Record Requests
At Southern Oregon Veterinary Specialty Center (SOVSC), we prioritize collaborative medicine and understand that timely access to clinical data is essential for the continuity of care at your practice. We strive to provide comprehensive documentation, including medical summaries, laboratory results, and high-quality DICOM imaging, to support your ongoing management of shared patients.
To ensure a seamless transition, we have established the following protocols for sharing patient information:
Post-Discharge Medical Summary: Following a patient’s discharge, a detailed medical summary are sent to the primary care clinic on record within 72 hours.
On-Demand Requests: If it has been 72 hours from discharge and you are inquiring about the Medical Summary or additional records or specific diagnostic files, most requests are processed and delivered within 24 hours, though we often fulfill these much sooner to support your clinical workflow.
Upcoming Appointments: We recognize that some patients may have follow-up exams scheduled at your clinic shortly after leaving our care. If your appointment falls within our standard 72-hour window, please submit a request, and we will do our absolute best to prioritize it, though we may not always be able to guarantee delivery of a full medical summary.
