SHM Converge Scientific Abstract ePoster Gallery-Increasing Postpartum Depression Screening for at Risk Mothers

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This quality improvement project aimed to increase postpartum depression (PPD) screening among at-risk mothers in a pediatric clinic. Because postpartum depression can negatively affect child development, the clinic used the PHQ-9 screening tool during 2-, 4-, and 6-month well-child visits. Baseline chart review from April to August 2023 showed that only 60.8% of eligible mothers (284 of 467) were screened.<br /><br />To improve performance, the team conducted an in-service for pediatric clinic staff, including residents, attendings, and nurse practitioners, stressing the importance of screening and its impact on families. Providers were also given access to PHQ-9 forms in 30 languages to reduce language barriers. Screening rates were then reassessed over the next two intervention cycles.<br /><br />Results showed substantial improvement. After the first cycle, screening completion rose to 83.5%, a 22.7% increase from baseline. The second cycle produced further gains, with an overall 28.33% increase from the original screening rate and improvement across all age groups.<br /><br />The project concluded that staff education and multilingual screening access significantly improved PPD screening rates. Mothers with positive PHQ-9 results were referred to the Healthy Steps program, where an in-house social worker connects families to support for mental health, food insecurity, and housing needs. To sustain gains, the team also proposed changes to the electronic medical record to prevent chart closure without documenting PHQ-9 results.

Asset Subtitle

Christal Nworjih

Meta Tag

Author List Christal Nworjih, Yaskira Anderson

Category Research

Concept Postpartum Depression

Concept Screening

Concept Pediatric Well-Child Visit

Concept PHQ-9

Concept Quality Improvement

Distinguished Non-Finalist

Presenter Organization Wyckoff Heights Medical Center

Presenting Author Christal Nworjih

Track Pediatric

Keywords

postpartum depression

PPD screening

PHQ-9

pediatric clinic

quality improvement

well-child visits

maternal mental health

staff education

multilingual forms

electronic medical record

Postpartum Depression

Screening

Pediatric Well-Child Visit

PHQ-9

Quality Improvement