nurse duty to report if a patient screens positive for depression

by Domingo Wolff 10 min read

Depression Screening and Measurement-Based Care in Primary …

7 hours ago  · If the patient screened positive for depression, or screened negative, but had a history of depression or antidepressant medication documented in the EHR, the Best Practice Advisor (BPA) opened to advise the nurse to have patient complete screening with the 9-item PHQ-9 using VitalSign6 iPad to assess if the patient’s symptoms were mild, moderate, or severe. >> Go To The Portal


A score of 10 to 12 on the EPDS or 5 - 14 on PHQ-9 is a sign of possible depression and may not require immediate referral; use your professional judgement and provide interventions described in the next section. Any positive score on item #10 on the EPDS or #9 on the PHQ-9 requires a referral. Ask specific questions:

Full Answer

Why screen for depression in primary care?

“The USPSTF found good evidence that screening improves the accurate identification of depressed patients in primary care settings.” Benefits of Detection and Early Intervention

What is the nursing diagnosis for depression in nursing?

Nursing Diagnosis: Disturbed Thought Process related to biochemical/ neurophysical imbalance secondary to depression as evidenced by impaired insight and judgment, poor decision-making skills, difficulty handling complex tasks, confusion and disorientation, inability to do activities of daily living (ADLs) as normal

Should nurse practitioners use the PHQ-9 to screen for depression?

Screening will detect more instances of depression, which is often missed in this population of patients. Implications for practice: Nurse practitioners can and should use the PHQ-9 when screening for depression. However, they should do so with full knowledge and awareness of its strengths and limitations.

What are the potential harms of depression screening?

Potential harms of depression screening include false-positive results, the inconvenience of additional diagnostic workup, costs and adverse effects of treatment for patients incorrectly identified as being depressed and potential adverse effects of labeling.

What are the nurse's responsibilities in the management of depression?

The main functions for practice nurses treating patients with depressive disorders include: assessment of depression; monitoring clinical progress; enhancing treatment compliance; promoting social change and education of the patient and carers.

How should a nurse respond to a depressed patient?

Many things Nurses do can help a depressed patient not feel so worthless, and sometimes even lift their spirits. Talking to patients about their feelings is a good first step in dealing with their depression. Being sympathetic helps them know that you understand their feelings rather than judge them for how they feel.

What do you do with a positive PHQ-9?

A score of 10 to 12 on the EPDS or 5 - 14 on PHQ-9 is a sign of possible depression and may not require immediate referral; use your professional judgement and provide interventions described in the next section. Any positive score on item #10 on the EPDS or #9 on the PHQ-9 requires a referral.

What are the priority nursing interventions when caring for a patient with depression?

Nursing care plan goals for patients with major depression includes determining a degree of impairment, assessing the client's coping abilities, assisting the client to deal with the current situation, providing for meeting psychological needs, and promote health and wellness.

What is the nurse's role in supporting the patient?

Nurses keep track of their patients' health, provide medicine to them, take care of paperwork, help doctors diagnose patients, and provide advice, but their job doesn't stop here. As Study explains, they wear many hats throughout the working day, and meeting the emotional needs of their patients is one of them.

Which nursing approach is important in depression?

Cognitive Behavior Therapy and Interpersonal Therapy are evidence-based psychotherapies that have been found to be effective in the treatment of depression.

What is considered a positive depression screening?

PHQ-2 Screening Instrument for Depression Scoring: A score of 3 or more is considered a positive result. The PHQ-9 (Table 3) or a clinical interview should be completed for patients who screen positive.

When is a PHQ-9 positive?

Using the MHP reinterview as the criterion standard, a PHQ-9 score ≥10 had a sensitivity of 88% and a specificity of 88% for major depression. PHQ-9 scores of 5, 10, 15, and 20 represented mild, moderate, moderately severe, and severe depression, respectively.

What is a positive PHQ score?

The PHQ-9 has 9 questions with a score ranging from 0 to 3 for each question (maximum score of 27). A threshold score of 10 or higher is considered to indicate mild major depression, 15 or higher indicates moderate major depression, and 20 or higher severe major depression.

What interventions are used for depression?

Three of the more common methods used in depression treatment include cognitive behavioral therapy, interpersonal therapy, and psychodynamic therapy. Often, a blended approach is used.

What is the role of the enrolled nurse in supporting the needs of a client with the allocated mental health disorder?

Observation and assessment of patients. Giving medication and assessing the results of specific medication. Helping patients take part in activities. Assisting in behaviour modification programs.

How do you write a nursing intervention?

When writing nursing interventions, follow these tips:Write the date and sign the plan. ... Nursing interventions should be specific and clearly stated, beginning with an action verb indicating what the nurse is expected to do. ... Use only abbreviations accepted by the institution.