Abstract
ABSTRACTBackground: Post stroke depression (PSD) is common, and the transition home following discharge may be especially challenging for stroke survivors.Objectives: This study aimed to determine how well specific Canadian Best Practice Recommendations for PSD screening were adopted within a stroke rehabilitation outpatient clinic before and after the utilization of a standardized clinical form.Methods: Practices were evaluated through retrospective chart review before and after the implementation of the standardized form which cued physicians to administer the Patient Health Questionnaire 9 (PHQ-9) at the first outpatient visit. Participants included those aged ≥18 years with a primary diagnosis of stroke.Results: One hundred thirty-five subjects’ charts were reviewed. Form implementation was associated with increased rates of PSD screening (93.8% versus 0%) and charting regarding mood (55.4% versus 15.7%).Conclusion: This study highlights the frequency of depressive symptoms in an outpatient cohort and demonstrates how screening rates can be improved by using a standardized form. Routine PHQ-9 completion at the first outpatient visit was associated with more physician–patient discussion and documentation regarding mood.
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