Enhancing Depression Care Outcomes in Primary Care Patients through Secure E-mail Structured Follow-Up Monitoring by Mental Health Nurse Practitioner

Improving Antidepressant Medication Follow-Up Management Sophia Lawrence, MSN, RN, PMHNP-BC Doctor of Nursing Practice Student Faculty Chair: Kathy James, DNSc, APRN, FAAN Clinical Mentor: Henry Kane, MD, Psychiatrist Purpose: The purpose of this evidence-based practice project is to integrate a structured follow-up management protocol for patients prescribed antidepressant in primary care and improve HEDIS antidepressant medication management scores. Background: Depression is a highly prevalent condition affecting 14 million adults in the United States annually. Antidepressant is an effective treatment. However adherence to antidepressant medication remains a significant problem and treatments have failed to improve in primary care. Methods and evaluation: Using the Plan-Do-Study-Act method of quality improvement, the standardized was implemented and integrated into practice. Using the project facility’s past HEDIS Antidepressant medication management data as a baseline, data collection points include pre and post intervention to determine project impact on the HEDIS scores. Outcomes: Data collected demonstrated a 10% increase in HEDIS antidepressant scores for the continuation phase and a 4% increase for the acute phase of treatment. Conclusions: Organized follow-up care management for patients prescribed antidepressants in primary care that employed the use of a structured protocol delivered by secure e-mail has the potential to improve adherence to treatment, make a profound impact on HEDIS measurements, and patient outcome