Smilow Cancer Hospital Network, New Haven, CT
Donna LaPolt, Valerie T Walton
Background: Social determinants of health (SDoH) are associated with inferior health outcomes, morbidity, life expectancy, and healthcare expenses. Screening for SDoH is increasingly incorporated into routine clinical practice, however clinical decision support and resources addressing positive SDoH screening are less robust. As part of the ASCO PC4, we developed an electronic workflow that utilizes SDoH and depression screening tools with prepopulated referrals to assist the clinician in directing the referral to the most appropriate supportive service. Methods: Smilow Cancer Hospital ASCO Patient Centered Care Certification Implementation Team collaborated with our social work, psycho oncology, and Community Health Worker (CHW) to optimally screen and respond to patients who screened positive for SDoH or depression. A workflow was established using Welcome Web software in combination with Epic to transfer patient results collected in the waiting room via iPad to the patient’s medical record. Positive screening results trigger a best practice advisory when clinician opens chart. The alert links to a Smartset prepopulating an order to the appropriate resource for the reported need. Patients with transportation, food insecurity, or housing concerns were referred to Community Healthcare Worker. Social workers received referrals for patients with social connection concerns and PHQ-9 scores between 9-14. Patients with a PHQ-9 score of 15 and above were referred to the psycho-oncology team. A specialized workflow was created for any patient who responded positively to thoughts of self-harm. These patients received an immediate intervention and were screened using the Columbia Suicide Severity Screening Tool. Results: See table. Conclusions: Incorporating SDoH screening alongside clinical decision support and automated referrals was feasible. Technology enabled screening enhances efficiency and assists clinicians with direct referrals to the appropriate resource, while allowing resources to operate at the top of their licensure and enhance efficiency. Future Directions for Research: 1. Monitor emergency room utilization, admissions, and unplanned visits for patients receiving services from CHW, Social Work, and Psycho-oncology services. 2. Monitor work queue volumes to assess if directed referrals expedite response.
Screenings | CHW Referrals | Social Work Referrals | Psycho-Oncology Referrals | +Self-Harm Response |
---|---|---|---|---|
3,185 | 82 | 10 | 3 | 24 |
Disclaimer
This material on this page is ©2024 American Society of Clinical Oncology, all rights reserved. Licensing available upon request. For more information, please contact licensing@asco.org
Abstract Disclosures
2023 ASCO Quality Care Symposium
First Author: Sean McClellan
2021 ASCO Quality Care Symposium
First Author: Chao-Hui Huang
2024 ASCO Breakthrough
First Author: Nozomi Higashiyama
2022 ASCO Quality Care Symposium
First Author: Rebekah SM Angove