Zappulla, T. T., & Wechter, S. M. (2023). Seeing Through the Shadows: A Strategy to Improve Postpartum Depression Screening Practices. Journal of Doctoral Nursing Practice.
Intervention Components (click on component to see a list of all articles that use that intervention): Screening Tool Implementation, Hospital Policies,
Intervention Description: The intervention was the implementation of an evidence-based standard of care for the detection of PPD that can be implemented with every postpartum patient. The intervention included the use of the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale-10 (EPDS-10) as a reliable and valid screening instrument for PPD. The intervention aligns with a discernable strategy, which is to improve screening practices for PPD in postpartum women. The strategy involved implementing an evidence-based standard of care that included the use of a validated screening tool, staff education, and process changes to ensure that every postpartum patient was screened for PPD. The PDF file describes a quality improvement project that analyzed the implementation of a single intervention, which was the use of the EPDS-10 as a screening tool for PPD. While the project involved multiple components, such as staff education and process changes, the focus of the study was on the implementation of the EPDS-10 and its impact on PPD screening rates.
Intervention Results: The study results indicated significant improvements in screening and referral of postnatal depression within the 8-week period compared to previous practices. Specifically, the implementation of the EPDS-10 led to increased screening rates, with documentation of screening rates ranging from 88% to 99% after the implementation. The study also found a significant increase in the detection and treatment of postpartum depression when a standardized, validated screening tool like the EPDS-10 was implemented. Additionally, the study reported that out of the patients screened, nine patients were detected for further assessment and treatment. The results also showed a significant increase in the percentage of patients screened, from 10.9% to 95.8%, and a significant decrease in the percentage of patients who were not screened, from 89.1% to 4.2%, after the implementation of the EPDS-10. These findings suggest that the implementation of the EPDS-10 positively influenced providers to be more consistent with screening and documentation practices, ultimately leading to improved detection, further assessment, and treatment of postpartum patients
Conclusion: This project established an evidence-based standard of care that can be implemented with every postpartum patient and brought nine women out of the shadows with the hope that they can find the light to recover from PPD.
Study Design: The study design used in the research described in the PDF file is a retrospective-prospective chart audit design. This design involved a formative evaluation of the process of implementation through weekly huddles and individual discussions with clinic staff and licensed clinicians to assess the new screening process and the use of the EPDS-10. Additionally, a retrospective chart audit of the electronic health record (EHR) was performed to determine the number of screenings performed 8 weeks before the implementation, and a prospective chart audit was conducted to determine how many charts had documented screenings during the 8 weeks of the implementation. The study design also involved the analysis of pre- and post-implementation data to evaluate the screening practices and determine if there was a significant difference in screening, detection, and treatment before and after the implementation of the EPDS-10.
Setting: The setting of the study described in the PDF file is a private practice obstetrics and gynecology (OBGYN) office in South Florida. The study focused on implementing the evidence-based standard of care for postpartum depression screening within this clinical setting. The organization consisted of multidisciplinary aggregate stakeholders, including licensed healthcare providers and non-licensed clerical staff, all of whom were involved in the implementation process.
Population of Focus: The target audience of the study described in the PDF file is healthcare providers and staff working in a postpartum ambulatory clinic, specifically in the obstetrics and gynecology (OBGYN) setting. The study aimed to improve the detection and treatment of postpartum depression (PPD) in women by implementing an evidence-based standard of care for PPD screening that can be implemented with every postpartum patient. The study also aimed to enhance the knowledge and competency of healthcare providers and staff in PPD screening, assessment, diagnosis, and treatment referrals.
Sample Size: The PDF file does not explicitly mention the number of participants involved in the study. However, it provides specific data related to the screening and treatment of patients before and after the implementation of the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale-10 (EPDS-10). It mentions that out of the 55 patients who were seen before the implementation of the EPDS-10, 6 patients (10.9%) had documentation in the electronic health record (EHR) that a postpartum depression screening was performed. Additionally, it states that out of the 48 postpartum patients seen after the implementation, 46 were screened with the EPDS-10. While the exact number of participants is not explicitly provided, the study does present specific data on the outcomes of the intervention.
Age Range: The PDF file does not specify the age range of the participants involved in the study. The focus of the study is on the implementation of the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale-10 (EPDS-10) as a screening tool for postpartum depression in women. Therefore, the age range of the participants is not explicitly mentioned in the provided content.
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