Abstract
Purpose: The purpose of this quality improvement project was to implement the use of a routine screening tool and increase patient education within a rural family practice setting where women and children are treated and monitored following labor and delivery.|Background: Following a review of current evidence-based practice in postpartum depression screening, a screening and education process was designed and implemented using the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) tool, an educational brochure, and community specific resource and referral information.|Sample/Setting: Data was collected from September 7, 2020, to December 1, 2020, from clinic visits with women whose infants were seen for their two-week newborn visit and who were also seen for their six-week postpartum visit.|Methods: Prior to implementation, clinic staff (two RNs and provider) met collaboratively to discuss inserting the project into existing clinic processes. At that time, the EPDS and newly developed patient education material was reviewed. A referral process was identified for any mothers who screened positive. During the project interval, all newly delivered mothers seen at the clinic were screened for postpartum depression using the EPDS at both their infant’s two-week newborn check and again at the mother’s routine six-week postpartum visit. Women received an educational brochure during the infant’s two-week check.|Results: Ten women were screened for postpartum depression, compared to zero screened previously. Zero women were diagnosed with postpartum depression during the project implementation period. All participants received the educational brochure. The clinic staff reported the implementation was successful and plan to integrate the process within their established practice.|Conclusion: Implementing screening for postpartum depression in the family practice setting is both possible and important. The anticipated referral process was not utilized, possibly due to the limited implementation period and the small number of participants. This project is sustainable in family practice settings optimizing opportunities for necessary screening in the postpartum period.