To evaluate the validity of nurses’ reports as a screening tool for anxiety and depression in hospitalized patients admitted for Coronary Artery Bypass Graft.

Within 72 hours of admission, the patients were assessed using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). Simultaneously, the nurses who provided care for the patients were asked whether they believed the patients had significant levels of depression or anxiety. They were also asked to rate the degree of depression and anxiety of their patients in a 5 point Likert scale. Assessments were completed for 150 patients.

According to HADS score, 67 (44.66%) patients had probable depressive disorders (HADS-D score > 7) and 57(38%) had probable anxiety disorders (HADS-A score>7). Nurses recognized 31(20.66%) patients had depressive disorder and 24(16%) had anxiety disorders. The correlation coefficient between nursing diagnosis and diagnosis according to HADS was small (phi = 0.24, P < 0.01). No significant correlation was observed between HADS scores and the nurses’ assessment of severity of depression and anxiety. Comparing with HADS, the sensitivity, specificity and positive predictive value for nursing reports was 0.25, 0.55 and 0.41 for depression and 0.66, 0.57 and 0.72 for anxiety respectively.

This study indicates nurses’ reports may have not enough validity and sensitivity to be used as the only way for screening anxiety and depression in patients admitted for cardiac surgery. A consultation-liaison psychiatry service that include an active case finding strategy by using standard instrument and educational program for nurses may be helpful.