Mental health records at the Black Dog Institute’s clinical services arm will soon go digital.

The Australian institute for research and services in mental health will deploy Global Health’s MasterCare EMR solution across clinical services, using the clinical and practice management software to transition processes.

Black Dog Institute joins a number of other healthcare providers that have recently transitioned over to MasterCare EMR, such as Justice Health Victoria and Bass Coast Health.

MasterCare EMR General Manager Kye Cherian said the solution was chosen for being a team-based, client-centric record that supports multiple programs and services.

As Black Dog Institute has a number of clinical services – such as a child and adolescent health unit, psychology clinic, and depression and bipolar unit – he said the solution can be configured to suit different workflows within these individual organisations, enhancing workflow functionality across the multi-program community.

Specifically, according to Cherian, MasterCare EMR’s mental health modules, such as risk assessments and assessment wizards, would benefit the organisation.

“[The] platform can be implemented either as is, or adapted easily for specific client needs and requests,” he said.

“The area of mental health is one that requires continuous research, innovation and investment to meet growing demand. the Black Dog Institute clinical services arm’s use of MasterCare EMR will support their research-based approach to delivering and improving mental health services.

“Often people with a mental health condition have lifelong needs, and it is essential these services are coordinated and tracked for optimum outcomes and continuous improvement,” he said.

[Read more: Fremantle Hospital deploys EMR system for better support of care in WA | University Hospital Geelong improves ED clinical workflows]

MasterCare EMR also allows for customised program support across minimum data sets, streamlined data collection, support for more than 25 common federal and state-funded programs, and has an inbuilt practice management system for clinic appointments, billing, online claiming, staff rostering, client management and secure messaging.