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12105 Background: Health related social needs (HRSN) are known to have an impact on cancer patient outcomes and experience. Practices in The US Oncology Network (The Network) use the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) Distress Thermometer (DT) as the screening tool for HRSNs. With the deployment of the NCCN DT in the electronic health record (EHR), we seek to evaluate the distress and HRSNs reported by cancer patients. Methods: Data collected using the EHR-based NCCN DT for seven practices in The Network between July and December 2023 was used to evaluate the positive finding rate, types of distress reported, and plan of action for reported problems. Screenings were conducted at different points in the care continuum depending on practice standards and preferences. Results: Between July and December 2023, a total of 269,666 screenings for 219,720 unique patients were recorded using the EHR-based NCCN DT, of which 3.1% (8,332) were recorded as patient declined. 117,363 (43.5%) screenings had a positive finding (≥1 problem, or score ≥1). Nearly 2 in 5 screenings (103,767, 38.5%) had a problem reported, with 58.2% (60,373) of those screenings reporting a problem in more than 1 problem area. A numeric distress value was recorded in 94.6% (255,046) of the screenings, with 27.2% (73,338) having a distress score of ≥ 1 and 11.6% (31,264) with a score of ≥ 4. Problem list responses are reported in the table. A distress action plan was recorded for 55.7% (65,333) of the positive findings, of which a majority (79.6%) of patients declined any assistance. Most of the action plans for referrals to appropriate assistance services were recorded for screenings with ≥3 problems reported (58.0% vs 24.6%), or with distress scores of ≥4 (65.6% vs 9.9%). Conclusions: HRSN’s are commonplace among cancer patients, and screening aids with identifying and addressing distress. Electronic capture of DT in the EHR helps oncology practices use data to facilitate holistic patient care, design and optimize support services (social work, navigation, symptom management programs), as well as gather and organize community resources to address HRSNs and ultimately identify disparities and work toward advancing health equity. Table: see text
Indurlal et al. (Sat,) studied this question.