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Implementing Postpartum Depression Screening in a Pediatric Primary Care Setting

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Xiao, Rong
Date
2024-05-13
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Problem: Postpartum depression (PPD) affects one in eight postpartum women in the United States, which contributes to negative health outcome for both mother and infants. The American Academy of Pediatrics and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recommended integrating PPD screening in well-child check-ups (WCCs). Evidence supports that PPD screening enhances early identification of at-risk mothers. A chart review found that PPD screening in a pediatric practice involves a single unstructured question at the 1-week and 2-months WCCs. No at-risk mothers were identified using this approach. Purpose: The purpose of this QI project was to integrate the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) and create a referral list to increase the early detection and referral rates of PPD. Methods: The project was implemented over a 15-week period in Fall 2023. A standardized PPD screening algorithm and mental health referral resource list were developed. Mothers of infants aged ≤ 12 months completed the EPDS screening during WCCs. Weekly chart audit and run chart analysis were conducted. Project measures included PPD screens completed, documentation of screening results, mental health referrals, and emergency referrals. Results: Twenty mothers presented with infants ≤ 12 months participated in the implementation phase, 85% (n=17) completed the PPD screening, 100% (n=17) screening results were documented, and 12% (n=2) were referred. No emergency referrals were made. Conclusion: Implementation of the validated EPDS tool in a pediatric primary care setting increased identification of at-risk mothers for depression. Approximately 12% of PPD screenings yielded positive results, which closely aligns with the 12.5% rate reported in the literature.

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