Through a recent study, it has been found out that one out of three people who are hospitalized feel depressed. The study is published in Journal of Hospital Medicine which states that this could lead to delay recovery time. This can also increase length of hospital stays and increase the frequency of readmissions. Research from the Department of Psychiatry and the Department of Medicine at Cedars-Sinai analyzed that 33% of hospitalized patients had symptoms of depression such as feeling down or hopeless.
These patients lacked interest in doing things which could make them happy. A change in appetite and sleep were also experienced. Waguih William IsHak, MD, lead author of the study, claimed that the screening of the hospitalized patients are important as they will help the patients to recover soon.
He also said that patients who are suffering from depression are more likely to skip medication and appointments with doctors. This can lead to various problems like delay in recovery, longer stay in hospital. It can also lead to a greater chance of hospital readmissions.
Ishak said, “Upon admission to the hospital, patients are screened for all kinds of medical issues such as abnormalities in blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar.” He further said, “Adding a screening for depression seizes a golden opportunity to initiate and maintain treatment.”
Cedars-Sinai does regular screening of the patients who are hospitalized due to depression. The nurses do the screening of the hospitalized patients. They also interview the patients within 24 hours of their admission.
Coping with depression
Patients who screen positive receives interventions by Cedars-Sinai admitting physicians and the psychiatry team, which includes psychiatrists, psychologists, psychiatric social workers and a psychiatric nurse.
“We know that depression is a serious factor in any patient’s recovery,” IsHak said. “These findings show that hospitals might experience improved outcomes by initiating a depression screening programme.”
