VGH Nontuberculous Mycobacterial (NTM) Disease Clinic
- 7th Floor Station, 1A - 2775 Laurel Street, Diamond Health Centre, Vancouver, BC V5Z 1M9
- vghntm@vch.ca
- Fax: (778) 504-9776
The VGH Nontuberculous Mycobacterial (NTM) Disease Clinic provides ongoing assessment, management, treatment, and education services to people with NTM disease living in the VCH region.
How to access
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Check eligibility
Patients aged 18 years and older, living within the Vancouver Coastal Health region*, with a confirmed diagnosis of NTM disease are eligible for referral by their primary health care provider or medical specialist.
Confirmed diagnoses are based on symptoms, physical exam findings or imaging and lab results.
Patients with suspected or confirmed leprosy or tuberculosis should not be referred to this clinic.
*This includes the communities of Richmond, Vancouver, North Shore, Sea-to-Sky Corridor, Sunshine Coast, Powell River, Bella Bella and Bella Coola.
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Get a referral
A referral is required.
To refer via CST-Cerner, the order information to add is “Referral to Outpatient VGH Nontuberculous Mycobacterial Disease.”
If you do not have CST Cerner, please have your primary care provider or medical specialist complete the Nontuberculous Mycobacterial (NTM) Disease Clinic referral form and fax it to (778) 504-9776 along with a referral letter and past medical history. Referrers, please include current medications, current patient weight, allergies, and any relevant specialist notes.
For all referrals for pulmonary NTM disease please include CT chest with imaging characteristics of NTM disease and at least one sputum or bronchoscopy or tissue result with mycobacterial culture positive for an NTM species.
For referrals for extrapulmonary NTM disease, please include a positive culture result for an NTM species from any non-respiratory site (e.g. urine, tissue, bone, blood).
Patients with suspected or confirmed leprosy or tuberculosis should not be referred to this clinic.
VGH Nontuberculous Mycobacterial (NTM) Disease Clinic referral form
Note: Medical provider-to-provider consults can also be requested for patients who reside outside the VCH region.
VGH Nontuberculous Mycobacterial (NTM) Disease Clinic provider-to-provider consult request form
Hours of operation
- Monday: 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
- Tuesday: 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
- Wednesday: 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
- Thursday: 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
- Friday: 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
- Saturday: Closed
- Sunday: Closed
Closed on statutory holidays
How to get here
We are on the seventh floor of the Gordon and Leslie Diamond Health Care Centre.
There is pay parking available at our two visitor lots located on the VGH campus:
A multi-level parkade is located at the corner of West 12th Avenue and Laurel Street, across from the main entrance of the Jim Pattison Pavilion.
The Gordon and Leslie Diamond Health Care Centre parking lot is located off of Laurel Street between West 12th and West 13th Avenue.
There is a wheelchair-accessible overpass from the VGH parkade at Level 4 and a crosswalk at Level 2.
Frequently asked questions for patients
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What can I expect during my visit to the VGH NTM Disease Clinic?
During your visit, you will undergo a thorough evaluation with a specialist physician, including a medical history review, physical examination, and diagnostic tests. Your physician will discuss your symptoms, perform necessary tests, and provide a treatment plan. You may also be supported by a pharmacist and other clinic staff. Many different physicians work at this clinic and so you may not always be assessed by the same specialist at each appointment.
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Other than treatment, what else can I expect from the VGH NTM Disease Clinic?
Clinic staff will also help patients and caregivers understand NTM medicines and provide care plans to help manage their NTM diagnosis. They will act as a resource to support patients in addressing this complex condition. They will also work with patients, families, and other medical specialists to coordinate patient care and tests associated with NTM.
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What should I do if I have concerns or side effects from my treatment?
Contact the clinic promptly if you experience any side effects or have concerns about your treatment. We offer support and resources to help manage any issues and help you get the safest and most effective treatment.
Frequently asked questions for referring medical staff
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How do I refer a patient to the VGH NTM Disease Clinic?
VCH staff and medical staff can refer patients through CST Cerner. To refer via CST-Cerner, add the order information “Referral to Outpatient VGH Nontuberculous Mycobacterial Disease.”
If you do not have CST Cerner, please fax the referral forms to (778) 504-9776 along with a referral letter that includes past medical history, current medications, current patient weight, allergies, and any relevant specialist notes.
All referrals for pulmonary NTM disease must include a CT chest with imaging characteristics of NTM disease and at least one sputum, bronchoscopy, or tissue result with a mycobacterial culture positive for an NTM species.
Referrals for extrapulmonary NTM disease should include a positive culture result for an NTM species from any non-respiratory site (e.g. urine, tissue, bone, blood).
Patients with suspected or confirmed leprosy or tuberculosis should not be referred to this clinic.
VGH Nontuberculous Mycobacterial (NTM) Disease Clinic referral form
Note: Medical provider-to-provider consults can also be requested for patients who reside outside the VCH region.
VGH Nontuberculous Mycobacterial (NTM) Disease Clinic provider-to-provider consult request form
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How should I prepare a patient for referral to the VGH NTM Disease Clinic?
Please ensure the patient has undergone an initial diagnostic workup (e.g. CT chest, sputum cultures or bronchoscopy). Please provide a detailed medical history, including previous treatments and comorbid conditions.
Vancouver General Hospital (VGH)
Vancouver General Hospital (VGH) offers specialized health-care services to residents in Vancouver and across the province through regional programs. We provide a full range of basic and highly specialized emergency health-care and trauma services to British Columbia.