SMICS and Monash Health partner to enhance inpatient access to supportive care

SMICS and Monash Health are working together to improve supportive care screening rates for cancer patients by removing paper-based manual processes and digitising them.

Project Background 
Comprehensive supportive care is essential to optimal cancer care and outcomes. Missed or delayed identification of patient needs for supportive care can limit access to services and impact patient experience and outcomes. This project aims to support and increase inpatient supportive care screening rates at Monash Health.

Project Goal
This project supported the transition and digitisation of the paper-based NCCN Distress Thermometer (DT), building it into a digital PowerForm in the electronic medical record (EMR). By removing manual processes, the project aimed to improve screening rates, streamline workflows, and enhance nursing confidence in supportive care delivery.

Project Outcomes
By integrating the NCCN DT into the EMR, the project improved supportive care screening rates by 18 per cent. The digitisation of the NCCN tool also increased overall staff confidence in using the EMR for supportive care screening.

Contact  
This project has been delivered by SMICS Senior Project Manager Jodi Dumbrell.