389: Postpartum depression: Time of screening and access to care

Abstract

KAMINSKY, SAGAR PATEL, GELEN DEL ROSARIO, ADRIANNA FITSZIMMONS, ROSELYN YOUNG, JOSEPH CANTERINO, University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, New Brunswick, New Jersey, Jersey Shore University Medical Center, Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, Neptune, New Jersey OBJECTIVE: The objective of the study was to determine the time of screening for postpartum depression which will optimize patient access to psychiatric care. STUDY DESIGN: This was a retrospective cohort study. All patients receiving prenatal care at the outpatient clinic at our institution were screened for postpartum depression at 36 weeks gestation, following delivery, and at 6 weeks postpartum visit. Edinburgh Scale for Postpartum depression was used with a cut-off score of more than or equal to ten. The rate of psychiatric evaluation of screen-postitive women was compared at three different times of screening. RESULTS: The results are depicted in the Table. CONCLUSION: Screening for postpartum depression at the time of delivery significantly increased patients’ access to psychiatric care.