Title : A quality improvement project to increase perinatal depression screening rates through implementation of standardized screening and provider education
Abstract:
Perinatal depression (PND), a mental health disorder occurring during pregnancy and up to one year postpartum, significantly affects maternal and infant well-being and can lead to developmental delays in children. Despite its prevalence, PND is often underdiagnosed and undertreated in obstetric settings, with many cases going unrecognized because of inconsistent screening practices, stigma, and patient reluctance to report symptoms. Mental health conditions are a leading cause of maternal mortality, accounting for 22% of pregnancy-related deaths, with suicide the second-leading cause in the postpartum period. This quality improvement project aims to bridge the gap between recommended guidelines and current clinical practice by standardizing PND screening and enhancing provider awareness and confidence through education. The project will implement routine screening at the initial prenatal visit, in the third trimester, and postpartum, using the validated Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS). The intervention includes targeted face-to-face provider education on proper screening procedures, follow-up, and referral. Employing a quantitative, quasi-experimental, one-group pre- and post-test design, the project will evaluate changes in provider knowledge, confidence, and clinical practices. Baseline data will be collected via chart audits and pre-intervention surveys, followed by post-intervention assessments. Key objectives include achieving at least 80% compliance with prenatal depression screening within one month and increasing postpartum screening rates to over 90% within one month of education. Additionally, providers are expected to show more than a 20% improvement in knowledge and an 80% increase in confidence in managing PND. A clear referral and follow-up pathway will be established to ensure patients who screen positive receive timely mental health services. This project is anticipated to improve early detection, care coordination, and ultimately maternal and infant outcomes, serving as a pilot for broader implementation.
