Breaking Down Barriers and Addressing Mental Wellness in Pediatric Sickle Cell Patients

Sickle cell disease is an inherited hemoglobinopathy that is characterized with multi-organ involvement and frequent pain crises. Over the last two decades, a growing body of clinical evidence has pointed out that these somatic complaints can give rise to neuropsychiatric disorders, among which anxiety and depression are the most common, that worsen the health-related quality of life of these patients. Mood disorders can in turn increase fatigue and pain through a psychosomatic component. Although mental health is deemed to play an important role in their health outcomes, at this time, we don't have standardized approach to screening sickle cell patients for depression at most sickle cell centers across the country and at Texas Children's Hospital(TCH).

The objective of this Quality Improvement (QI) study is to increase the annual depression screening rate from 0 to 50% in English/Spanish speaking patients who are 12 years and older with an established diagnosis of Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) who present for follow-up care to the Texas Children's Hospital - West Campus (TCH-WC).

Our QI project consisted of three distinct PDSA cycles. Prior to the start of the first PDSA cycle, we did not have a streamlined approach for depression screening. The physician team would verbally screen for depression and Social Work was consulted as needed. During our first PDSA cycle, a clinical psychologist was integrated into our monthly Hematology-Pulmonary Joint Clinic and all patients with SCD who presented to Joint Clinic were assessed for depression by the psychologist as part of the psychological evaluation. During the second PDSA cycle, all patients with SCD over the age of 12 who presented to Joint Clinic (with psychologist present) were given the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 modified for Adolescents (PHQ-A) by the Medical Assistant prior to the start of the medical appointment. After the physician team completed their visit, the psychologist addressed concerns raised on the PHQ-A, completed the psychological evaluation and provided appropriate intervention.

During the third and final PDSA cycle, the PHQ-A was given to all patients with SCD above the age of 12 who presented to hematology clinic (including those outside of Joint Clinic during which the psychologist was not present). During this cycle, the MA gave the patient the PHQ-A at the start of the visit. The MA then followed an outlined and detailed algorithm. If patient scored 0-6 on the PHQ-A, no intervention was performed. If patient scored 7-9 on the PHQ-A, psychological resources were provided via handout. If patient scored > 10 on the PHQ-A, Social Work referral was placed and patient was preferably seen same day. If patient screened positive for suicide, an urgent Social Work referral was made and patient was seen same day prior to leaving clinic for further evaluation.

During our first PDSA cycle, 19 patients above the age of 12 presented to Joint Clinic. Seventeen patients were seen by the psychologist. Twenty-four percent (4/17) of patients were given the PHQ-A; 50% of patients screened positive. Twenty-four percent (4/17) of patients were referred for outpatient follow-up with psychology.

During our second PDSA cycle, 14 patients above the age of 12 presented to Joint Clinic. Ninety-three percent (13/14) of patients were given the PHQ-A; 7% (1/14) of patients screened positive for depression. Twenty-one percent (3/14) of patients were referred for outpatient follow-up with psychology.

During our third PDSA cycle, 54 patients above the age of 12 presented to Hematology Clinic. Eighty percent (43/54) of eligible patients were given the PHQ-A. Fourteen percent of patients endorsed mild symptoms of depression; 23% of patients endorsed moderate to severe symptoms of depression; 23% of patients endorsed suicidal ideation. Eighty percent of patients with moderate to severe depression received same day Social Work Assessment. One hundred percent of patients with suicidal ideation received same day Social Work assessment.

During the first three PDSA's cycle of our project, we achieved our goal of screening greater than 50% of eligible patients with SCD and providing same day intervention. In the future, we will need to examine if there are any downstream effects that negatively impact the clinic flow while administering the questionnaire. We also hope to expand screening for all patients with SCD over the age of 12 across Texas Children's Hospital campuses.

No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.