The purpose of this program was to develop a process for screening, educating, and offering referral resources to mothers identified as suffering from perinatal mood and anxiety disorders.

Proposed change:

Perinatal mood and anxiety disorders (PMADs) are the most under diagnosed, underreported, and undertreated complication of childbirth with 400,000 infants born in the United States every year to mothers who are depressed.  Universal screening has not yet been mandated within the United States which leaves many organizations struggling to meet the recognized needs of this vulnerable population with little guidance.  In an effort to provide education, screening, and referral resources to pregnant women in rural Northern Arizona, a community-centered, interdisciplinary program was developed in a hospital setting which initiated PMAD screening. 

Implementation, outcomes and evaluation:

This was achieved by first gathering a nurse-lead multidisciplinary team to evaluate current screening, education, and referral practices as well as financial resources.  This information was compared to current evidence-based practice and a plan was developed that would facilitate the availability of screening for all newly-delivered mothers, education for mothers and staff, and improved availability of  referral resources including a grant-funded support group. In the first 4 months of the program, 300 mothers were screened, nearly 60 women were found to be at risk for PMAD, and the support group is thriving.

Implications for nursing practice:

This presentation demonstrates that hospital nurses, as leaders, can be change agents by collaborating with other members of the healthcare team to initiate innovative, evidence-based programs.

Keywords:

Perinatal mood and anxiety disorders (PMADs), postpartum depression, support group, depression screening