Depression Screening Implementation for a Substance Use Disorder Clinic

Abstract

Each year the number of Americans diagnosed with depression rises but a large number of cases go undiagnosed. Often substance addiction and depression co-occur. Appropriate treatment needs must be addressed to provide high quality care. Literature has highlighted the low depression screenings in primary care and other medical care settings. With the rising rate of opioid addictions and substance abuse a quality improvement project was conducted in an urban substance use disorder clinic by implementing a new protocol for depression screening on all new admissions. The project site pre-implementation data for depression screening revealed that there was no standardized tool being utilized in the two years this organization has been operating. Following implementation of a depression screening tool rates improved to 100% by including it in the admission process of new patients. This low-cost depression screening tool was implemented with the guidance and support of behavioral health professionals.