Gerontological Nursing Interventions Research Center (GNIRC)

Title: Validity of the Minimum Data Set Depression Rating Scale
Principal Investigator: Rachel Anderson, PhD
Study Site: The University of Iowa

Abstract
Depression is increasingly recognized as a significant health care problem among nursing home residents, negatively affecting quality of life and associated with increased risk of co-morbid medical illness. Symptoms of depression are common but under-diagnosed in nursing home residents. Many cases of depression go unrecognized and undiagnosed as many nursing homes work within constraints on staff, resources, and reimbursement policies. There is a need for a standardized screening instrument for depression that utilizes existing resources and information in order to increase the detection of symptoms among this vulnerable elderly population and ensure access to necessary and appropriate mental health care. The purpose of this proposal is to validate and test the reliability of a newly developed assessment instrument for depression that will utilize existing staff and resources and would provide an additional technique to more precisely measure symptoms associated with depression in nursing home residents. This assessment instrument for depression has been designed to use characteristics contained in the Minimum Data Set (MDS). Information will be gathered from the MDS relevant to completing a newly developed measure of depression: the Minimum Data Set Depression Rating Scale (MDSDRS). The MSDDRS will be correlated to the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale and the Geriatric Depression Scale for all new admissions and at quarterly review in four nursing facilities in Iowa. The proposed research will identify an improved method for the early detection and diagnosis of depression that would ultimately lead to the development and implementation of innovative prevention, early intervention, and integrated health services.