Poster Presentation Clinical Oncology Society of Australia 2014 Annual Scientific Meeting

No More Vague Descriptors: Building competency in assessment, in collaboration with all stakeholders. The development of a comprehensive assessment tool for patients in the Day Oncology setting at Cabrini Malvern (#228)

Briege O'Donnell 1 , Amanda Proposch 1 , Mel Pritchard 1
  1. Cabrini Hospital Malvern, Malvern, VIC, Australia

Introduction: The previous assessment tool used by the Cabrini Malvern Day Oncology Unit was nurse dependent and not person centred. This meant that patient symptom assessment was not regulated and did not meet national standards. After identifying this as a concern a new comprehensive Assessment Tool was drafted to meet the National Standards and the units person centred care
Aims:
1. To develop a comprehensive Assessment Tool which meets the needs of all Oncology patients
2. To adhere to the National Standards of patient assessment
3. To ensure conformity across the multi disciplinary team when assessing symptoms and ensuring that all are using the same accredited language
Method:
1. Draft and implement a new assessment tool
2. Obtain feedback from staff,
3. Monitor implementation
4. Ongoing assessment of tool in relation to patient needs.
Results: Results will be measured through a number of different measures:
1. Press Ganey results
2. By monitoring the number of accurate and timely referrals to allied health services
3. Feedback from patients and staff