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Depression Utilization of the PHQ-9 Tool

The percentage of adolescent patients (12 to 17 years of age) and adult patients (18 years of age or older) with a diagnosis of major depression or dysthymia who have a completed PHQ-9 tool during a four month measurement period.

Date Reviewed: September 28, 2022

Measure Info

CBE 0712
Measure Type
Process
Measure Steward
Minnesota Community Measurement
Clinical Topic Area
Depression

Care Setting
Outpatient
Data Source
Electronic Health Records
Paper Medical Records

Major depressive disorder (MDD) is an important illness to assess periodically using a validated instrument, however, the four-month measurement period is not based on clinical evidence. Based on the depression or dysthymia severity, a longer measurement period may be needed. There are other validated tools to measure MDD that should be included in this performance measure. The type of patient should also be taken into consideration (pregnant, post-partum, geriatric, etc.). The performance measure specifications are unclear as to whether the PHQ-9 should be administered every four months for on-going depression evaluation or just once within a four-month time period. The developer should consider revising the denominator to clarify the appropriate time interval. The PHQ-9 score may be simple to catalog if the facility has an electronic health record (EHR).