Improving Depression Screening in Youth with Lupus
Author Information
Author(s): Emily Datyner, Jodi Dingle, Victoria Newsome, Lisa H. Buckley, Natasha Belsky, Seungweon Park, Manda Mitchell, Brooke Fine, Barron Patterson, T. Brent Graham, Alaina Davis
Primary Institution: Vanderbilt University Medical Center
Hypothesis
Can standardized depression screening rates be increased and maintained in youth with childhood-onset systemic lupus erythematosus (cSLE) in a pediatric rheumatology clinic?
Conclusion
A high rate of standardized depression screening for youth with cSLE was achieved and maintained through integration and automation within the electronic health record.
Supporting Evidence
- The percentage of eligible patient encounters where depression screening was completed increased from 0 to 81%.
- Among the 592 patients who completed depression screens, 114 (17%) were positive for moderate to severe symptoms.
- 59 (9%) of patients screened positive for suicidal ideation.
Takeaway
Doctors checked for sadness in kids with lupus more often, helping them get the help they need when they're feeling down.
Methodology
Patients aged 12 and older were screened for depression using the PHQ-A during routine follow-ups, with a focus on improving screening rates through quality improvement methods.
Potential Biases
Potential bias due to reliance on specific clinic staff for screening processes.
Limitations
The study's findings may not be generalizable due to specific EHR functionalities and the need for robust support staff.
Participant Demographics
Most participants were female (86%) and included diverse racial backgrounds: African American (47%), Caucasian (39%), Asian (9%), and Hispanic (0.8%).
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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