VHAN Announces Improved Pediatric Depression Screening Results

VHAN is excited to announce that the network’s pediatric depression screening rate has dramatically improved. In 2019, VHAN began measuring annual depression screening for children 12 and older. That year, 18% of practices received a score of zero for depression screening and only 35% of practices screened more than 90% of their eligible VHAN patients for depression.

To assist members who were struggling in this area, VHAN licensed clinical social workers met with practices to promote the social work program and the benefits of using the pediatric behavioral health consult line. As a result, by 2021, no VHAN members received a score of zero for depression screening and 46% of practices screened 90% of their VHAN patients for depression.

These results showcase how our members can use VHAN tools and services to improve patient care. To access all VHAN’s behavioral health resources, visit the VHAN Hub. There you’ll find pediatric resources related to anxiety, eating disorders, ADHD and more; webinars and online training to assist clinicians in providing better mental health care; and information about the pediatric and adult behavioral health consult lines.