Date of Conferral
4-28-2026
Degree
Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)
School
Nursing
Advisor
Dr. Corinne Wheeler
Abstract
Depression remains a significant public health burden in the United States, contributing to disability, healthcare utilization, and economic cost. Internal 2024 audits at the project site identified variability in Patient Health Questionnaire 9 PHQ 9 screening and follow up processes, with 68% of screenings completed, 55% of follow ups timely, and disparities among patients with limited English proficiency. These findings indicate a systems level reliability and equity gap. This executive leadership system improvement project focused on developing a standardized, nurse led, electronic health record supported workflow to improve PHQ 9 completion and timely follow up. The practice focused question asked how a nurse led, EHR enhanced workflow improves the reliability of screening and follow up in outpatient psychiatric and primary care settings. The project was guided by the Johns Hopkins evidence based practice model. Evidence supports multicomponent interventions that combine workflow standardization, EHR integrated clinical decision support, and culturally responsive communication to improve depression care processes. Expected outcomes include improved screening and follow up rates, enhanced care coordination, and reduced disparities. Organizational alignment is summarized in Appendix A, the logic model is presented in Appendix B, team roles and communication pathways are outlined in Appendix C, implementation planning is detailed in Appendix D, the budget is presented in Appendix E, and the evaluation plan is presented in Appendix F.
Recommended Citation
Hidalgo Salomon, Rebecca Geneiveve, "Executive Summary: Executive Leadership System Improvement Improving Depression Screening and Follow Up Processes" (2026). Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies. 19890.
https://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/dissertations/19890
