Implementation of a Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorder Screening Program in Northern Arizona

Abstract

Proposed Change With 400,000 infants born in the United States every year to mothers who are depressed, perinatal mood and anxiety disorders are the most underdiagnosed, underreported, and undertreated complications of childbirth. 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 that initiated perinatal mood and anxiety disorder 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 with 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 grantfunded support group. In the first 4 months of the program, 300 mothers were screened, nearly 60 women were found to be at risk of the perinatal mood and anxiety disorder, and the support group was thriving.