CDIA’s core offering, the Pursuit Program, delivers consistent results across all hospital sizes
Our tailored programs are ideal for both private and public hospitals, suitable for EMR, digital and paper records.
2014
Our journey began when a co-founder witnessed a serious adverse patient outcome influenced by poor clinical documentation. This sparked a personal mission to explore strategies for improving clinical documentation across Australia.
At the same time, Nicole Draper took on the task of enhancing clinical documentation at a large metropolitan private hospital.
2016
Nicole Draper successfully established one of the first clinical documentation improvement (CDI) programs in Australia.
Clinical Documentation Improvement Australia (CDIA) was formally incorporated.
2017
The two co-founders joined forces, driven by their shared passion for clinical documentation improvement (CDI).
Within the year, CDIA had secured partnerships with hospitals across all of Australia’s east coast states.
2018
We continued to grow through partnerships with the second largest private hospital network in Australia and the largest private hospital network in Western Australia.
2019
We completed major CDI projects in every state in Australia.
We spoke at multiple international conferences, including the IFHIMA Congress in the UAE, the ACDIS Conference in the USA and the Saudi Patient Safety Centre Conference in Saudi Arabia.
The number of clinicians CDIA educated grew to more than 7000.
2020
We went international, partnering with the largest public hospital in New Zealand & the most prestigious hospital in Saudi Arabia.
2021
We hosted the inaugural conference dedicated to CDI for countries using ICD-10-AM. The conference attracted delegates from 8 countries and every state of Australia.
We released the first CDS certification for ICD-10-AM, promoting recognition and career progressions for CDSs.
2022
Over 10,000 health care professionals educated milestone reached.
Completed first ever Saudi public hospital CDI audit.
CDIA signs Johns Hopkins Aramco Healthcare, one of the most prestigious private hospital in the Middle East.
Second CDI Conference with 150% growth in in person attendance.
2023
1000th CDIA Community Member joins
CDIA awarded Madinah Cluster CDI Project in KSA
CDIA launches its Audit Selector Technology
CDIA facilitated the third National CDI Conference
Mike Kertes
National Director
With extensive experience as a Health Information Manager, Mike has a high level of proficiency in health information, casemix management and CDI. A skilled communicator with an intense passion for the healthcare industry, Mike has rolled out numerous CDI programs across Australia for a large private hospital group. He is regarded by his peers as an authority on implementing CDI programs seamlessly with clinicians and health leaders.
Nicole Draper
Founder & Director
Nicole’s passion is to partner with hospitals, improving clinical documentation and empowering clinicians to deliver safer patient care. Nicole is widely regarded as Australia’s foremost Clinical Documentation Specialist. Co-founder of CDIA (Clinical Documentation Improvement Australia), she shares her wealth of knowledge with the industry to support patient safety through clinical documentation improvement. An expansive education in healthcare led to Nicole achieving a Bachelor of Nursing, a Masters Degree in Health Administration and a Graduate Certificate in Research. She is responsible for the implementation of the first CDI program in the private hospital industry which has received significant acclaim and awards.
Trudi O'Donnell
Director of Strategic Relationships
With extensive experience in the health finance sector, Trudi brings a deep understanding of the critical need to align hospital funding with patient complexity. She is committed to fostering a documentation culture that accurately represents clinical findings. Trudi is highly respected within the healthcare industry as a skilled communicator. She possesses a fervent passion for bridging the gap between clinicians and health finance teams to ensure the delivery of safer care for all patients.
Samantha Ryan
Clinical Documentation Nurse Consultant
With a diverse nursing background, Samantha has 20 years of experience working in Australian and UK hospitals. She holds a Master’s Degree in Nursing, specialising in teaching and learning. Recognised as one of the most experienced clinical documentation specialists in the country, Samantha has practiced in acute care, as a Clinical Nurse Specialist and as a Clinical Educator. Samantha holds the esteem of her peers for her involvement in the first formal, concurrent CDI program with specialised training in the private sector.
Nour Alatari
Clinical Documentation Nurse Consultant
Nour holds a Bachelor's Degree in Nursing and a Master's Degree in Nursing Services Administration. Nour has experience in both adult and neonatal intensive care units, and has worked in a range of quality improvement roles, including as a Clinical Documentation Specialist at the largest hospital complex in the southern hemisphere. Nour is a skilful educator of clinicians and is dedicated to enhancing the quality and safety of healthcare through clinical documentation improvement.
Dr Sophie De'Ambrosis
Medical Doctor
Sophie De’Ambrosis is one of CDIA’s medical doctors based in Brisbane. Sophie obtained her medical degree in 2020 from The University of Queensland, where she was awarded The University Medal for outstanding achievement. She has also completed a Graduate Certificate in Business Leadership focusing on medical leadership. Sophie has a wide range of clinical experience in both medical and surgical specialties across Queensland, Western Australia and Tasmania. She has experienced first hand how important accurate clinical documentation is to patient safety, and how it contributes to fostering a positive work environment. Sophie is excited to work with CDIA to improve the healthcare experience for both patients and clinicians.
Dr Danielle Corish
Medical Doctor
Dr Danielle Corish is one of CDIA’s medical doctors who originally trained and worked in Ireland. She was tempted by the Australian climate and since coming to Australia she has worked in large tertiary hospitals across New South Wales, Victoria and Western Australia. She has a wide range of experience across multiple different specialities, having more recently been focused on the area of psychiatry. While working across these different health facilities, Danielle came to realise her passion for clinical documentation and how this can lead to improved patient outcomes. Danielle is excited to share the impact that clinicians can have through correct clinical documentation!
Dr Bianca Treu
Medical Doctor
Bianca is a medical doctor based in Sydney. She graduated from the University of Sydney in 2016 then completed her internship and residency at St. George Hospital in Kogarah. Her clinical experience spans a diverse portfolio of locum employment across 12 specialties and 15 hospitals. Bianca has always understood the pivotal role that clinical documentation plays in the provision of safe patient care, particularly in her capacity as a locum doctor where documentation was critical for continuity of care. She is eager to harness her passion for quality documentation to deliver tangible change to healthcare as a member of the CDIA team.
Dr Renata Vasta
Medical Doctor
Renata is a medical doctor who completed her undergraduate medical training at JCU in Townsville, North QLD. Renata went on to complete her internship and residency in Townsville. Following this, Renata has been engaged in various locum medical roles throughout Australia, and is currently studying a Masters of Public Health and Tropical Medicine. Through witnessing the direct impact clinical documentation can have on a patient's healthcare experience, Renata became passionate about clinical documentation improvement to ensure patient safety and the delivery of high quality healthcare.
Dr Alannah Luck
Medical Doctor
Alannah Luck is one of CDIA’s medical doctors based in Tasmania. She has
worked in numerous tertiary and regional hospitals in Tasmania and South Australia,
encompassing a range of medical and surgical specialties. Alannah has always had
a keen interest in public health and patient safety, developing a passion for CDI
through witnessing the direct influence of clinical documentation on patient
outcomes. She believes quality clinical documentation is the foundation of excellent
patient care and is eager to contribute to the improvement of clinical documentation
across Australia and internationally.
worked in numerous tertiary and regional hospitals in Tasmania and South Australia,
encompassing a range of medical and surgical specialties. Alannah has always had
a keen interest in public health and patient safety, developing a passion for CDI
through witnessing the direct influence of clinical documentation on patient
outcomes. She believes quality clinical documentation is the foundation of excellent
patient care and is eager to contribute to the improvement of clinical documentation
across Australia and internationally.
Dr Chloe Tyson
Medical Doctor
Chloe is one of CDIA's medical doctors. Chloe was university gold medalist and valedictorian of her graduating medical class. She has worked across various hospitals in Queensland and now also works in General Practice. Chloe holds degrees in Law and Commerce (finance and accounting) and has worked in Corporate Tax accounting with PwC Australia. She is also progressing towards the completion of her Masters Degrees in both Public Health and Health Management. Through her academic background, diverse career, and personal experience she became interested in optimisation of medical system design, including improving patient safety. Chloe is excited to be able to combine her skills to drive system-wide change through improving clinical documentation.
Dr Katie Cummins
Medical Doctor
Irish born, Katie is a medical doctor who obtained her medical degree in Ireland. Looking to broaden her medical experience after working in Ireland, she found herself in Perth, Western Australia. Katie lives and works in multiple public and private hospitals across WA, spanning multiple departments from cardiology to geriatrics. Through her broad clinical experience, she has recognised the impact that clinical documentation can have on patient care. She has a passion for safe clinical practice, quality improvement and exceptional patient care. She is excited to be part of the CDIA team and ultimately work towards creating safer patient outcomes through improved clinical documentation.
Dr Kelsi Marris
Medical Doctor
Dr Kelsi Marris is one of CDIA’s medical doctors. Her career includes wide-ranging experience working as a resident in hospitals in QLD, NSW and VIC. During her work within different specialist departments, Kelsi developed a keen interest in optimising healthcare systems. This led to the completion of a Masters Degree in Public Health to further her understanding of effective communications and information strategies. Kelsi’s role at CDIA brings together her clinical background, communication skills and passion for patient safety. Her dedication to the improvement of clinical documentation and her drive for system-level change underpin her team’s success.
Dr Karen Tucker
Medical Doctor, CDS, Clinical Coder
Karen Tucker is one of CDIA’s medical doctors who originally trained and worked in South Africa. Since coming to Perth 25 years ago, she has worked as a resident medical officer in emergency and nuclear medicine, obtained a clinical coding qualification and established a CDI program at a tertiary hospital. Karen has extensive experience as a general practitioner, a clinical coder and a clinical documentation improvement specialist. She is passionate about increasing patient safety and the quality and standard of health care through clinical documentation improvement.
Dr Jonathon Wiggins
Medical Doctor
Jonathon is a medical doctor who has studied and trained all over Queensland as well as completing undergraduate studies in Melbourne. His clinical years have been spent predominantly in Critical Care Medicine where he developed a passion for patient safety through accurate and effective documentation and communication. Educating medical students and other junior doctors has always been an important aspect of his clinical responsibilities and he is excited to be able to combine his passions of patient safety and education as part of the CDIA team.
Dr Felicity Sinclair-Ford
Medical Doctor
Felicity is a medical doctor and brings to the team a diverse range of educational experiences. As well as studying languages and the humanities at a tertiary level, Felicity has worked as a resident medical officer in hospitals in Queensland, New South Wales and the Northern Territory. Her time in the clinical space prompted her interest in patient safety as it relates to clinical documentation, and working with CDIA has enabled her to pursue this passion. Felicity’s enthusiasm, creativity and communication skills are an asset to her team.
Our core values
Timely and honest feedback
Reliable and respectful
Ownership and innovation
Building enduring relationships through authentic connections
Exceptional customer service
Insist on the highest standards
Culture of privacy