Implementation of a Depression Screening Program in Long-Term Care

Purpose: The purpose of this project was to implement a screening program that would identify older adults with depressive symptoms. Data Sources: The Mini Mental Status Exam (MMSE) is a baseline cognitive screen used to identify which depression screening tool should be used for the patient. The Geriatric Depression Scale-15 is used to screen patients with a MMSE score of 19 or higher. The Cornell Scale for Depression in Dementia is used for patients with a MMSE of 18 or below. Conclusions: This project had a small, convenience sample size (n=17). All (n=17) patients were given the cognitive screening. Due to inability to obtain consent, only 70% (n=12) were screened for depression. All 17 patients shared a total of five providers, who were contacted on two different occasions to notify them of the screening results and asked to complete the six-item survey. Two providers responded to the notification and completed the survey. Providers who completed the Likert survey strongly agreed that the depression treatment and tracking (DTT) form: (1) was helpful in documenting depression in the long-term care patients, (2) was easy to use, (3) decreased time spent per patient visit, and (4) was the one they would like to see used in the facility. Implications for Practice: Implementing a depression screening program through the use of a depression treatment and tracking form will assist staff with ease of documenting and communicating screening results to the patient’s primary care provider. The DTT form supports improved health outcomes for the long-term care patients by giving primary care providers a quick and easy-to-use form they can evaluate to determine if further evaluation and treatment is needed.

Name thesis:degree_name

D.N.P.

Level thesis:degree_level

doctoral

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Graduate College

Grantor dc:publisher

The University of Arizona.

Year dc:date.issued

2015

Author dc:creator

• Tanner, Brooke

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Badger, Terry A.

Committee members dc:contributor.committeemember

• Rigney, Ted S.
• Insel, Kathleen C.
• Badger, Terry A.

• Long-Term Care
• Older Adults
• Nursing
• Depression

Statement dc:rights

• Copyright © is held by the author. Digital access to this material is made possible by the University Libraries, University of Arizona. Further transmission, reproduction or presentation (such as public display or performance) of protected items is prohibited except with permission of the author.

Language dc:language.iso

en_US

Handle dc:identifier.uri

http://hdl.handle.net/10150/560806

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:repository.arizona.edu:10150/560806