Following a previous audit conducted at Bedford Hospital we found no formal screening tool for depression was used in post-stroke patients. The prevalence of depression in the sample of 63 patients was 28%. We recommended the implementation of the PHQ-9 questionnaire as a screening tool for depression in these patients.

To assess the effectiveness of the PHQ-9 as a screening tool for depression in stroke patients. To review whether implementing this screening tool has increased the prevalence of depression within this patient population.

All patients admitted to the stroke ward in Bedford Hospital between 10/09/09 and 13/12/09 were included in the audit. Patients were screened two weeks after admission. Exclusion criteria were met if patients lacked mental capacity to be screened; the patient declined or was discharged or deceased within 2 weeks.

Of 83 patients admitted, 18 (23%) were screened. Of these, 10 patients (53%) scored 5 or above, indicative of depression. One patient scored 10 indicative of moderate depression, and one patient scored 19 indicative of severe depression.

The PHQ-9 questionnaire is useful as it clearly increased the prevalence of post-stroke depression. However noticeably there are a significant proportion of patients who could not be screened using this tool as it is a self report assessment. This includes those who lack capacity or have communicative difficulties as is common after a stroke.