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Maternal Postpartum Depression Screening and Referral in a Latinx Immigrant Population: A Quality Improvement Study

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Abstract

Postpartum depression (PPD) is the most underdiagnosed obstetric complication in the United States. Left undiagnosed and untreated, PPD can have lasting effects on the infant and the mother. A quality improvement project was conducted to improve rates of screening and referrals with postpartum Latinx immigrant mothers. Community health workers were designated to assist with PPD screening and referral for behavioral health services, at a pediatric patient-centered medical home, using a referral process algorithm (Byatt, N., Biebel, K. & Straus, J. Postpartum Depression Screening Algorithm for Pediatric Providers During Well-Child Visits, MCPAP for Moms: Promoting maternal mental health during and after pregnancy, N/A (2014)). Using chi analysis of pre and post implementation findings, results demonstrated a 21% increase in screening of eligible postpartum mothers. Referrals for behavioral health services also increased from 9 to 22% of patients that screened positive. Community Health Workers were an asset in increasing screening and referral practices for PPD in a Latinx immigrant population. Further research efforts will assist to remove further barriers to PPD screening and treatment.

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Acknowledgements

Thank you to Cristina Holtz-Crosby & Lorena Cervantes for your continued commitment to the well-being of the families you work with.

Funding

No funding was received to assist with the preparation of this manuscript.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. College of Nursing, Medical University of South Carolina, 99 Jonathan Lucas Street, Charleston, SC, 29425, USA

    Hannah Robidoux DNP, APRN, PMHNP-BC, Amy Williams DNP, APRN, CPNP-PC, Carrie Cormack DNP, APRN, CPNP & Emily Johnson PhD

Authors
  1. Hannah Robidoux DNP, APRN, PMHNP-BC
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  2. Amy Williams DNP, APRN, CPNP-PC
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  3. Carrie Cormack DNP, APRN, CPNP
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  4. Emily Johnson PhD
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Hannah Robidoux DNP, APRN, PMHNP-BC.

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This quality improvement study was evaluated by the Medical University of South Carolina’s Institutional Review Board Guidelines and passed an expedited review.

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No conflicts of interest were identified during this planning or implementation of this intervention.

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Robidoux, H., Williams, A., Cormack, C. et al. Maternal Postpartum Depression Screening and Referral in a Latinx Immigrant Population: A Quality Improvement Study. J Immigrant Minority Health 25, 1050–1058 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10903-023-01503-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10903-023-01503-3

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