Screening for postpartum depression in mothers of two-week-old infants in the outpatient pediatric clinic
Abstract
[EMBARGOED UNTIL 05/21/2026] Purpose: Although 10% to 20% of postpartum mothers are affected by Postpartum Depression (PPD), many are not screened. Early screening is recommended between 2-weeks to 6-months after delivery. The purpose of this QI project was to evaluate the current PPD screening practices used at QMG, with the intent to increase screening compliance, documentation, and referral. Study Design and Methods: Chart reviews occurred at October 2025 to December 2025 (T1) and January 2026 to March 2026 (T2) to determine if EPDS screening results were documented during the two-week, infant appointment, with positive results sent to mother’s obstetrician. The participants was comprised of two-week post-partum mothers whose infants were being treated at QMG. The EPDS tool was used for PPD screening. Chi-square analysis of contingency was used to analyze nominal data, and phi coefficient described intervention effect significance at .1 (small), .3 (moderate), and .7 (large). Statistical significance was defined as p ? .05. Results: There was a large statistically significant increase in screening for postpartum depression between T1 (n = 1) and T2 (n = 44), ?2 = (1, n = 105) = 93.2, p < .001, , ? = 1.00. There was a moderate statistically increase in referrals T1 (n = 0) and T2 (n = 5), ?2 = (1, n = 105) = 6.7, p < .03, ? = .3. Clinical Implications: This project highlighted the need for PPD screening in the outpatient Pediatric clinic. More work is needed to standardize and increase 42 screening processes in rural communities.
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