SAT-809 Improving Depression and Suicide Screening in an Adult and Pediatric Endocrinology Clinic

Abstract Disclosure: J.R. Winer: None. T. Drossos: None. T. Mossing: None. K. O'Sullivan: None. The rate of depression and suicide is significantly higher in adolescents and adults with chronic diseases, including endocrine disorders, over the general population. For example, in adolescent and adults with Type 1 diabetes (T1D) the prevalence of depression is 20-30% and up to 40%, respectively. In these patients, depressive symptoms are associated with worse outcomes including higher A1c and increased hospitalizations. Consequently, many professional organizations including the ADA, AAP and USPSTF recommend screening for depression at least annually in adults and adolescents with chronic diseases. In this Quality Improvement (QI) project, we sought to directly address deficiencies in screening for these symptoms in a combined adult and pediatric endocrine clinic. Through a multidisciplinary team of endocrinologists, mental health providers, and social workers, we implanted a depression and suicide screening protocol. We utilized a medical assistant (MA) driven process of administering the Patient Health Questionnaire-2 (PHQ-2) to appropriate patients. A positive screen would trigger the patient to complete the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9). Results were uploaded to the EMR and our algorithm provided guidance on treatment according to severity of depression. Patients who screened positive for depressive symptoms were referred for mental health resources. Positive suicide screens were immediately evaluated by a trained mental health professional for safety risk assessment and triage. Adolescent screening improved from 3.7% at implantation in October 2022 to 47.8% in December 2024. Adult patients screening increased from 10.7% in June 2024 to 56.7% in December 2024. Of those screened, 8.5% of adolescents and 6.1% of adults had a positive PHQ-9. Limitations of our process include the inability to screen during telemedicine visits and non-clinician visits (i.e. nurse and diabetes educator visits). We demonstrated a successful process for screening for depression in pediatric and adult endocrine patients that can be implanted in other endocrine clinics. Presentation: Saturday, July 12, 2025