ABSTRACT
Background: Clinical practice guidelines recommend universal screening for mental health (MH) in the perinatal period using a screening tool such as the Edinburgh postnatal depression scores (EPDS). Objectives: To identify whether women attending antenatal and postnatal midwifery clinics at Mater Mothers Hospital were screened as per recommended protocol and to identify if those women who were identified as high risk of perinatal depression were appropriately referred. Additionally, to identify whether the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent widespread use of telehealth impacted screening rates and referral patterns. Methods: The MatriX/ObstetriX database was searched for all completed EPDS screens at Mater Mothers Hospital for a 12-month period up to February 2020 and screening rates were compared to gold standard practice. The same data were collected for the 6-month period after the declaration of the SARS COVID-19 pandemic. Women with an EPDS score >12 at initial booking were identified and the electronic clinical record was then searched for details of referrals to any perinatal MH services (general practitioner, Mater Perinatal Mental Health service, psychologist, psychiatrist, non-government organisation or other MH service). Findings: Preliminary findings indicate screening rates were lower in the COVID-19 group (82.7% vs 88%). Rates of women identified as high risk (score > 12) were not statistically different between the two groups (5.88% vs 6.6%). Further findings regarding referral patterns are to be presented at Congress. Conclusion: Screening rates using the EPDS were below expected clinical standard practice prior to the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic;however, screening rates further declined with the widespread use of tele health.