How to perform a risk assessment

A step by step guide on how to access clinical decision support through C the Signs by performing a risk assessment.

A C the Signs Risk Assessment ensures that all patients with suspected cancer are referred on the correct pathways, whether that be a test or referral, as per NICE guidelines and local cancer pathways. 

Video Guide

Here is our short video guide on how to complete a risk assessment or continue to read our step by step guide.

Step 1:  Open Risk Assessment Home Page

• Click on the first button of the C the Signs toolbar and select 'Risk Assessment'. 

Step 2:  Select 'System' or 'Search' 

• Click the 'System' button to assess your patient by body system. 
• Or, click the 'Search' button to assess your patients based on symptoms, signs, risk factors and investigation results e.g. weight loss, anaemia. 

• If you are assessing by 'System', select the relevant body system and enter the symptoms, signs, investigations, etc. that are relevant for your patient.
• If you are assessing by 'Search', the relevant body systems will already be selected. Enter any further clinical factors relevant for your patient. 

Step 3: Review Recommendations

You will then be shown recommendations based on NICE guidelines and your local cancer pathways. Select recommendations to action or not action based on clinical judgment.

Step 4: Send Patient Information Leaflets

• Relevant patient information leaflets will appear below any recommendations or considerations. 

• You can provide you patient with a leaflet through C the Signs by sending a text, email, or downloading and printing.

Step 5: Complete Referral Form

• If an urgent cancer referral has been actioned, you can complete the form by clicking on 'Proceed to referral from(s)' at the bottom of the page. 
• Alternatively, you can proceed to the patient summary.

Step 6: Review, Save & Safety-Net

• Review your risk assessment and any referrals completed on the patient summary page. 
• You can edit the clinical summary and choose which clinical codes are saved into the medical record. 
• When you are happy click on 'Save to patient's notes and the practice dashboard'. The patient will now be safety-netted in the referral inbox and onto the C the Signs Dashboard.