Focused on quality improvement using PDSA cycles within a real-world health care setting, Swedish Medical Group launched a pilot program within their Primary Care Behavioral Health (PCBH) program. We sought to automate PHQ-9 repeat screening at 4 – 8 months to better capture evidence of depression treatment response and reengage patients in care if needed. Pilot results successfully demonstrated capture of treatment response (50% reduction in PHQ-9) and remission (PHQ-9 < 5), as well as insights pertaining to improved patient experience. Leaders of clinical operations and behavioral health integration programs will learn how to design and implement similar efforts in their clinics and organizations to better capture data related to depression treatment response within their clinical settings.
Jenni O'Donnell PsyD, Medical Director Behavioral Health, Swedish Medical Group,
Nicole Stuart Pesevic MSN, RN, AMB-BC, Executive Director Clinical Operations RN, Providence Health & Services, Pasco, WA
Korsen N, Gerrish S. Use of PHQ-9 for monitoring patients with depression in integrated primary care practices. Ann Fam Med. 2022 Apr 1;20(20 Suppl 1):2769. doi: 10.1370/afm.20.s1.2769. PMID: 36693193; PMCID: PMC10548895.
National Committee for Quality Assurance. “HEDIS Depression Measures Specified for Electronic Clinical Data Systems.” NCQA. September 23, 2023. https://www.ncqa.org/hedis/the-future-of-hedis/hedis-depression-measures-specified-for-electronic-clinical-data/
National Committee for Quality Assurance. “The Future of Healthcare Quality.” NCQA. January 14, 2021. https://www.ncqa.org/hedis/the-future-of-hedis/.
Costantini L, Pasquarella C, Odone A, Colucci ME, Costanza A, Serafini G, Aguglia A, Belvederi Murri M, Brakoulias V, Amore M, Ghaemi SN, Amerio A. Screening for depression in primary care with Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9): A systematic review. J Affect Disord. 2021 Jan 15;279:473-483. doi: 10.1016/j.jad.2020.09.131. Epub 2020 Oct 6. PMID: 33126078.
National Committee for Quality Assurance. “Depression Remission or Response for Adolescents and Adults (DRR).” NCQA. September 23, 2023. https://www.ncqa.org/hedis/measures/depression-remission-or-response-for-adolescents-and-adults/