Poster 46 – Improving Depression Screening During the Pandemic- Maximizing Connections

Depression is one of the leading causes of disability for individuals who are 15 years or older and carries with it severe sequelae including increased mortality from suicide and significant impairments in quality of life and the ability to manage other health conditions. Screening for and identifying depression in Primary Care can facilitate treatment and decrease clinical morbidity. The goal of our project was to increase rates of depression screening as a first step in treating individuals with depression and related disorders particularly during the critically stressful pandemic period in our community. We began this project in July 2020, in part due to the burgeoning mental health impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and its associated reductions in in-person visits. At baseline, our practice screened 55.1% of eligible patients, Team members identified scheduled patients who were due for Depression Screening through Health Maintenance functions in EMR and BHCs conducted daily reviews of all scheduled patients’ charts. BHCs alerted providers to patients due for annual depression screening, or those needing follow-up from a positive depression screen (PHQ-9). Patients on the Acute Care schedule were highlighted as many were infrequent users of Primary Care. Medical Assistants completed screenings for new patients and those who were scheduled for Annual Wellness Visits. BHCs contacted patients by phone who were due for screening but did not have any scheduled appointments and were conducted in the context of a “check-in” phone call during the difficulties of the pandemic. In each of the 12 subsequent months of the project, Depression Screening rates increased, ultimately showing a 39% increase over baseline, successfully screening 76.6% of patients in July 2021. Our results support several active strategies that can be utilized to screen and follow up for depression, maximally connecting with patients, particularly during a time of increased community stress and obstacles to obtaining care. Maximizing connections during the pandemic served an important patient relationship function, communicating during difficult times that primary care is within reach.