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EC eCQMs
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Resolution: Answered
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Moderate
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None
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None
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Kelly Bitionio
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916-540-0620
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CommonSpirit Health
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CMS0002v13
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The PHQ 9 is a standardized screening tool used to identify people at risk of developing or having depression. The PHQ 9 is also used in monitoring the treatment progress for those patients that have a diagnosis of depression. With the removal of the exclusion of a diagnosis of depression, what is the most appropriate way to document results of this follow-up assessment with a patient that is already identified as depressed in the following scenario? Per APA guidelines, this patient is no longer eligible for screening, but rather is being assessed for remission or relapse so how do we differentiate in our reporting?
The PHQ 9 score for a patient currently diagnosed with depression is low (indicating effective management). Is it best to document:
- Negative screening with Depression
OR * Positive depression with remission
The PHQ 9 score for a patient currently diagnosed with depression is greater than 4 * Is this reported as remission, relapse, or well-controlled depression? Per DSM-IV and APA guidelines, this would not ** be considered recalcitrant to treatment
- What further documentation is required for follow-up when the patient is already being actively treated?
- We wish for clarification, is this a negative or positive screen?
We liken this to the diabetic patient who now has an A1c within normal range- still a diabetic but one whose diabetes is under good control.
Thank you for any guidance you can provide,