Chronic Recurrent Multifocal Osteomyelitis Program

Refer a Patient

Please see our CRMO/CNO algorithm for guidance on when referral is appropriate and the tests needed to refer patients with chronic recurrent multifocal osteomyelitis (CRMO)/chronic nonbacterial osteomyelitis (CNO).

If you are unsure about whether to refer your patient, please call our Clinical Intake Nurses at 206-987-2080, option 4.

Read more on symptoms, diagnosis and treatment for chronic recurrent multifocal osteomyelitis.

Appointment availability

Updated November 2023

We are accepting new referrals. Patients who wish to schedule an appointment must have a referral.

Wait times for our Chronic Recurrent Multifocal Osteomyelitis Program are about 1 month.

  •  We accept new patients with CRMO/CNO only from within our WAMI service region (Washington, Alaska, Montana, Idaho). If you are a provider outside WAMI seeking expert care for your patient, we recommend consulting this list of CRMO centers.
  • We see patients through age 17 only. If your patient is 18 or older, we ask that you refer them to a rheumatologist for adults.
  • Patients who have not been seen by Seattle Children’s Rheumatology in the last 3 years will need a new referral.
  • Telehealth appointments are available for stable, follow-up patients who are approved by their Rheumatology provider to have a telehealth visit. During these visits, our Rheumatology provider will usually be at the hospital or another location and the patient will be at their home.

Referral requirements

Please submit a referral that is complete. This helps us schedule your patient’s appointment in a timely manner and ensure their first visit is smooth and productive. 

Required (referral will be returned if the following are not indicated):

  • Service/specialty clinic requested: CRMO Program.
  • Reason for referral: what is the clinical question for the rheumatologist?
  • ICD-10 diagnosis.
  • Labs: CBC with diff, ESR, CRP, ALP, vitamin C, D, PTH, Ca, phos, LDH, uric acid, creatinine, ALT.
  • Imaging (CT, bone scan, X-ray and MRI). Please include both reports and films; they can be sent directly to Radiology (images can be uploaded to PowerShare).
  • Records from relevant specialists: orthopedics, infectious disease, oral surgery, ENT or rheumatology.
  • Bone biopsy or bone marrow biopsy, if one has been done.
  • Patient’s full name, DOB, sex, address, guardian contact information and insurance.
  • Referring provider’s name, phone, fax and the referral coordinator’s email address so that we may contact you if we need more information.

 Preferred:

  • Whether the referral is urgent (see within 4 weeks) or routine (next available)
  • Visit type:
    • New patient consult, transfer of care, second opinion or return visit/ongoing care
  • Other relevant clinical documents, i.e.:
    • Clinic notes
    • Medication history
    • Growth charts/curves 
    • Previous specialty evaluations
  • Preferred clinic location (current locations are Seattle and Bellevue; outreach includes telehealth for patients in other parts of Washington, plus Idaho, Montana and Alaska)
  • If an interpreter is needed (specify language)
  • Any known barriers to performing a successful telehealth (video) visit with the family

Submit a referral

See our algorithm for guidance on tests used to diagnose CRMO/CNO. If you need assistance, please call our Clinical Intake Nurses at 206-987-2080, option 1.

We’re committed to partnering with you

We are always available to answer questions and support your care of your patients.

  • Diagnosis and treatment options: call 206-987-7777 (Provider-to-Provider Line, ask for rheumatologist on call.)
  • Referring or transporting a patient to our Emergency Department or Urgent Care: call 206-987-8899 or, toll-free, 866-987-8899 (ED Communications Center). If it is a known Rheumatology patient, please also consider discussing with the on-call rheumatologist via the Provider-to-Provider Line so we can streamline and offer the best care for the family.
  • Questions about scheduling and referrals, including locating or expediting a referral: call 206-987-2080 (Clinical Intake Nurses).
  • If we evaluate your patient and determine they do not have a condition that requires ongoing evaluation and management in a specialty setting, we will return them to you with suggestions for an appropriate plan of care.

Learn more about managing your patients at Seattle Children's, including viewing your patient’s records.

Meet the Rheumatology team. 

See our locations (hospital campus in Seattle and Bellevue Clinic and Surgery Center).

What Your Patients Can Expect

  • Our CRMO Program sees patients within a few weeks of receiving a complete referral – sooner if needed. For urgent cases, contact our Provider-to-Provider Line at 206-987-7777 to help triage your patient appropriately.
  • Patients with a referral should call us at 206-987-2057, option 2, to schedule their appointment. Our high number of referrals prevents us from being able to routinely call out.
  • After scheduling, new patients should expect a phone call from our team to answer any questions prior to the first appointment.
  • We keep a cancellation list. Families can ask to be added by calling 206-987-2057, option 2.
  • We review openings and the patient referral queue daily. As openings become available, we call families to schedule based on our provider availability and the patient’s condition and acuity.
  • For new CRMO patients without a whole body MRI, we will schedule an initial 30 minute telemedicine visit and a 60 minute follow-up visit (in-person) after the MRI.
  • Rheumatology Patient and Family Resources

Resources for Providers  

CRMO/CNO algorithm

To suggest additional resources from Seattle Children’s that would be useful to primary care providers, please email physician.relations@seattlechildrens.org.