Category: Blog 2026

Basic oncology screening with SURVEYSTAR

The German Cancer Society (DKG) has made basic oncology screening (Onkologisches Basisscreening) mandatory in its certification requirements for oncology centers. Four core dimensions – psychosocial distress, physical symptoms, risk of malnutrition, and social and legal needs – must be recorded as patient-reported outcomes (PROs).

Many centers are now asking: How can these requirements be implemented efficiently and without additional documentation effort?

The good news: If you already use the ONKOSTAR tumor documentation system, SURVEYSTAR offers a solution that seamlessly integrates basic oncology screening into your existing processes.

Digital patient surveys integrated directly into the clinical workflow

SURVEYSTAR was developed specifically for conducting oncology screenings. The system enables the digital collection of PROs and helps centers tailor their screening processes to their own areas of focus and standard operating procedures (SOPs). Technical integration ensures a seamless flow of information between systems.

Key benefits at a glance:

  • Surveys conducted in compliance with data protection regulations
  • Flexible configuration
  • Customizable survey layout
  • Interface connection to the hospital information system (HIS)
  • Seamless integration into ONKOSTAR with automatic transfer of results into the tumor documentation
  • Direct impact on DKG-relevant quality indicators
  • No paper-based steps, no duplicate documentation, and no time-consuming retroactive documentation

You are currently viewing a placeholder content from Default. To access the actual content, click the button below. Please note that doing so will share data with third-party providers.

Unblock content
More Information

Digital patient survey workflow – basic oncology screening with SURVEYSTAR as an example

How the patient survey works

The survey process is fully digital and can be easily integrated into existing workflows. For basic oncology screening, you can use the ONCO-ROUTES questionnaire developed at the University Cancer Center Regensburg (UCC-R) and implemented in clinical routine.1

In addition, you can use the editors in SURVEYSTAR to create and maintain your own questionnaires.

1. Create a request

A clinical request is created in the HIS. The HIS transmits the clinical request to ONKOSTAR via the HL7 interface. Alternatively, ONKOSTAR can be opened directly from the HIS via a link, and the request created there. ONKOSTAR then transfers the patient-questionnaire assignment to SURVEYSTAR.

2. Generate a cover letter with a QR code

The request is now used to generate either a cover letter with a QR code or an email with a link that leads to the designated survey.

3. Fill out the questionnaire digitally

The patient scans the QR code with a smartphone or tablet or opens the link from the email. The corresponding questionnaire can then be easily filled out directly on the mobile device.

4. Automatically import results

Once the survey is complete, SURVEYSTAR sends the completed questionnaire back to ONKOSTAR.

ONKOSTAR automatically recalculates the relevant quality indicators – no manual transfer or additional data entry required. Optionally, the results can be transferred back to the HIS via the HL7 interface.

Screening scores above the defined threshold become immediately visible and can trigger targeted measures, such as the initiation of a psycho-oncology consultation.

Added value for care and certification

Digital data collection not only meets the requirements of the DKG. At the same time, healthcare providers benefit from immediate access to information and a better ability to identify support needs.

Results that exceed thresholds can be identified early on. This allows necessary interventions to be initiated more quickly and treatment pathways to be tailored effectively.

Conclusion

Basic oncology screening has now become an integral part of the DKG requirements for oncology centers. The combination of ONKOSTAR and SURVEYSTAR allows the required PROs to be collected efficiently, in a structured manner, and without additional documentation effort.

From digital surveys and the automatic transfer of results to the immediate impact on DKG quality indicators, SURVEYSTAR offers a seamless, integrated process. This enables oncology centers not only to meet certification requirements but, above all, to sustainably strengthen patient-centered care.

Sources: 1Saibold A., Koller M., Mueller K., Pukrop T., Rechenmacher M., Koelbl O., Pohl F., Maurer J. (2025). Development of a digitalization concept for assessing patient-reported outcomes in the context of a University Cancer Center – a model for use in clinical routine. Journal of Patient-Reported Outcomes, 9, 111. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s41687-025-00948-4

University Cancer Center Regensburg: Informationen zum onkologischen Routinescreening (ONCO-ROUTES). https://www.uccr.de/fuer-aerzte/onkologisches-routinescreening-onco-routes

Sponsoring 7 CONTINENTS: A visit to IT-Choice

On July 21, Norman Bücher visited us in Karlsruhe – bringing with him a flag several meters long that has already accompanied him on parts of his journey around the world. He will also take it with him to the United Nations in New York in September. For us, as a sponsor of his “7 CONTINENTS” project, it was a special moment to welcome Bücher in person.

Food for thought

The original plan was for us to meet with Bücher and our managing director, Mirko Ketterer, in the kitchen for a brief welcome. This quickly developed into a brief impromptu talk followed by a Q&A session. Bücher spoke about his journey and his encounters with young people around the world.

Many of his encounters, especially in poorer countries, touched him deeply. The openness and curiosity with which he was received there left a lasting impression on him. “A certain amount of humility can be a good thing sometimes,” Bücher says with a smile. Many things we take for granted, like running water for a morning shower, are unthinkable in other parts of the world. Yet the desires of young people aren’t all that different from one another: basic needs are, in fact, the same worldwide – such as the desire to “be seen.”

Curious questions came from the group: Had anything serious ever happened to him on one of his journeys, or had he ever found himself in a dangerous situation? “Hardly ever,” says Bücher. On the contrary: he was almost always welcomed with open arms and invited in. Although one or two situations did turn out to be adventurous or forced him to discard his original plans and adjust his course. But the bottom line is that his experiences make him optimistic: “People are actually good, and there is a lot of humanity in the world.”

Our managing director also took the opportunity to share a few personal words with Bücher. He was particularly moved by the documentary film about the Africa leg – “a film that children and teenagers absolutely should see” said Ketterer. Bücher had already shown the film at schools in Karlsruhe over the past few weeks and discussed it with students there. You can find a detailed report on this on our blog

Signing the flag

Following the conversation, it was time for the actual highlight of the visit: we were allowed to sign the flag that will accompany Bücher on the rest of his journey. As we discovered, it was not at all easy to find a free, unwritten spot on it.

Afterwards, we all went outside together to spread out the flag and capture the moment with a few photos.

What´s next

In early September, Bücher will set off on the final leg of his journey: together with the collected voices of the children and young people, he will carry the flag to the United Nations in New York.

We are delighted to support this wonderful project and wish you, dear Norman, all the best on the final leg – and hope that the voices of the children and young people are truly heard.

Visit to IT-Choice: Norman Bücher (left) reports on his 7 CONTINENTS project

Listening attentively: Our team in direct conversation with Bücher

Signature on the flag that accompanies Bücher on his journey

The flag in its full length – a commemorative group photo

Further information on the “7 CONTINENTS” project on our blog

Learn more about the project.

Sponsoring: 7 CONTINENTS visits schools in Karlsruhe

For more than seven years, extreme athlete Norman Bücher has been running around the world as a youth ambassador, giving young people a voice. For his project “7 CONTINENTS – Run for Voices,” he talks with children and young people on all seven continents about their hopes, dreams, and fears, carrying their messages all the way to the United Nations. As a sponsor, we have been supporting this endeavor since last year, and we’re glad to share the latest stops in this post, along with a look ahead to the final leg of the project.

School events in Karlsruhe

During his African leg last year, Bücher was accompanied by a cameraman. This resulted in a moving documentary film. It is particularly important to him to show the film to students in the Karlsruhe area.

The film centers not only on the extraordinary running routes through Rwanda, Uganda, and Kenya, but above all on the encounters with young people and their personal stories. Afterward, students can discuss topics such as education, future opportunities, courage, responsibility, and community together with Norman Bücher.

May 22, 2026 – Pestalozzi School Durlach

The series kicked off on May 22, 2026 at Pestalozzi School Durlach with two film screenings, each followed by workshops. In total, around 240 students from grades 3 through 9 experienced the film that day and discussed what they had seen afterward.

June 23, 2026 – European School Karlsruhe

About a month later, a screening also took place at the European School Karlsruhe.

For the roughly 120 students in attendance, the event offered a chance to gain new perspectives. It became clear that young people around the world often share similar hopes and dreams – regardless of which country they live in.

Further dates are planned in the coming weeks.

“I didn’t run around the world to give young people answers. I ran to ask questions.”

Norman Bücher

Voices from students on the documentary:

“We were really impressed that people who are struggling still have such a strong sense of community.”

“We especially liked the interviews. It was cool to hear what young people had to say.”

“Thank you for giving us these insights.”

A conversation with Norman Bücher

Following the school visits so far, we spoke with Norman Bücher – about moving encounters and what adults can learn from young people.

What was the most moving moment of your journey that has stayed with you?

There isn’t just “one” most moving moment for me. What has always stayed with me are the moments when I met people – when strangers invited me to eat with them, when I encountered people with incredible hospitality and warmth.

Why is it important to you to show the film specifically in schools?

Because 7 CONTINENTS is about young people and their perspectives and hopes. The film gives young people here in Germany unfiltered insight into the everyday lives of other young people in East Africa. The documentary allows viewers to look beyond their own horizon and encourages reflection. That’s very important to me personally.

What impact do you hope to have on the students?

The best part is when I immediately notice that something has made an impression. That’s exactly what the feedback shows – for example, when students talk about how impressed they were by the sense of community among the people featured in the film, or how much they enjoyed listening to the young interviewees from East Africa.

Your experiences are interesting to us adults, too. For example, what can teachers and parents learn from your experiences?

Ask more questions – explain less. I didn’t run around the world to give young people answers. I ran to ask questions. Many adults believe their job is to pass on knowledge, provide solutions, or point the way. My project shows something different: young people often want to be heard first.

Everyone wants to be seen. Whether in Rwanda, India, Bhutan, or South America: People are different, but one need seems to be the same everywhere: “See me.” Teachers can have an enormous influence on this. Often, decades later, a person doesn´t remember worksheets or lesson content – but they do remember the teacher who believed in them. The teacher who asked, “How are you really doing?” Adults who saw their potential.

Humanity is not a side note. Many adults invest enormous energy in performance, structure, processes, and results. This is especially important for teachers: professional competence is important. Humanity makes the difference.

The final leg of your journey is coming up soon. Can you give us a small preview?

At the end of August, I’ll set off from the Capitol in Washington, D.C., for the final leg of 7 CONTINENTS. After running thousands of kilometers and having countless encounters, I’ll reach the United Nations in New York in mid-September. That is the symbolic destination where I’ll present the voices, hopes, and messages gathered from young people over the course of more than seven years of this project.

We wish you all the best for the journey, and thank you so much for the interview!

Our commitment to 7 CONTINENTS

Norman Bücher’s experiences show what can happen when you truly listen to young people: open conversations instead of ready-made answers, a genuine shift in perspective, and the feeling of being seen and taken seriously. That’s exactly why we at IT-Choice support this project: to facilitate encounters that inspire reflection, foster understanding, and encourage young people to make their voices heard. Because the future is created where people listen to one another.

Blog entry about Africa leg

Image source: 7 CONTINENTS, Norman Bücher

Information security at IT-Choice

Start/Blog 2026/Information security at IT-Choice

19.05.2026

ISO/IEC 27001:2022 – we are certified

We are very pleased to inform you that IT-Choice Software GmbH has successfully completed certification to ISO/IEC 27001:2022. The certification was carried out by TÜV Rheinland.

What does the certification mean?

ISO/IEC 27001 is the international standard for information security management systems (ISMS). It defines how companies systematically identify, assess, and treat risks to the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of information.

The certification confirms that an independent auditor (in our case TÜV Rheinland) has verified that our ISMS meets all the requirements of the standard.

Annual surveillance audits will ensure going forward that we continuously comply with and further develop our standards.

An important step, not the finish line

We are delighted with this success. At the same time, we are aware that information security is a continuous process. New technologies, new requirements, and new risks demand ongoing adjustments and improvements. We are consistently pursuing this path.

ISO 27001 certification is part of our integrated management system (IMS), in which we also continuously develop ISO 9001 (quality management) and ISO 13485 (medical devices). For us, information security, quality, and regulatory requirements are inseparable.

Our special thanks go to all colleagues who contributed to this process.

The certificate is publicly available here:

ID no. 9000041207
IT-Choice Software GmbH – Certipedia

Trust as the foundation of our work

Our customers work every day with highly sensitive data such as diagnoses, therapy histories, and study data.

Solutions such as ONKOSTAR, SURVEYSTAR, or STUDYSTAR therefore require the utmost care in handling information.


ISO 27001 certification makes visible what has long been established practice for us: a consistent and structured approach to information security.

03.11.2025

Stage 2 audit in March 2026

In March 2026, the Stage 2 audit is due. In this phase, it is assessed how we actually live our ISMS in day-to-day operations – that is, how well the defined processes are implemented in practice. This includes, among other things:

  • Training and awareness among our employees
  • Measures to detect and handle security incidents
  • Technical and organizational safeguards
  • Documented continuous improvement processes

Until then, we will continue working intensively to strengthen and further develop our system.

ISO 27001 certification: Stage 1 audit successfully passed

The Stage 1 audit is the first major milestone on the path to certification to ISO/IEC 27001, the internationally recognized standard for information security management. In this step, our ISMS was reviewed by an external auditor, in particular with regard to:

  • Completeness and consistency of the documentation
  • Set-up and structure of the management system
  • Assessment of risk and action planning
  • Maturity level of our processes

The result confirms: We are very well positioned and ready for the next step!

projects digital guarantee, business quality checking, and standardization certification. Hand point on check correct icon for compliance with regulations, services, and standards.

Image source: Thapana_Studio – stock.adobe.com

Integration into existing management systems

As communicated in the first project phase, we are pursuing a holistic approach. That is why an integrated management system is being created at IT-Choice, linking our new ISMS with the already established structures in accordance with ISO 9001 (quality management) and ISO 13485 (quality management for medical devices).

In this way, we create a solid foundation for continuous improvement, high quality, and sustainable information security – also with a view to modern technologies such as cloud services or networked software platforms.

What does this mean for our customers?

In your daily work, you rely on our software solutions – and therefore also on the fact that your sensitive data is well protected. This trust is what drives us.

With ISO 27001 certification, we underscore our commitment to data protection, information security, and quality. This makes our products even more secure for you and at the same time provides greater transparency regarding the underlying processes.

19.08.2025

Preparing for ISO 27001 certification

Our software solutions support you in working with highly sensitive information, which is why data security is particularly important to us. To continue meeting this expectation, we are consistently expanding our information security management system (ISMS).

A key milestone on this path has already been reached: We have put together an ISMS team and appointed an Information Security Officer (ISO). Together, we are driving the set-up and continuous development of our ISMS.

We are currently conducting internal audits to further optimize our processes. In the next step, we will then aim for official certification to ISO/IEC 27001, the international standard for information security management.

Image source: IDOL´foto – stock.adobe.com

We are also thinking ahead: We want to establish an integrated management system that builds on our existing systems in accordance with ISO 9001 (quality management) and ISO 13485 (quality management for medical devices).

We will be happy to keep you informed about the further progress of the project.

Find out more about our quality management:

Quality management

IT-Choice is certified by TÜV Hessen in accordance with DIN EN ISO 9001:2015 and DIN EN ISO 13485:2016.

While the DIN EN ISO 9001:2015 standard focuses on customer satisfaction and the assessment of risks and opportunities, certification to DIN EN ISO 13485:2016 also enables us, if required, to develop software as a medical device.

Back to top