PDPM Documentation Essentials for the IDT: Scripted Interviews-AAPACN Patient Health Questionnaire Completion Determination

AAPACN Patient Health Questionnaire Completion Determination

Pdf Summary

The 2025 AAPACN guidance clarifies the administration protocol for the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ) in long-term care resident assessments. Specifically, it outlines when to stop after the initial two-question PHQ-2 screening and when to proceed to the full PHQ-9 based on residents' responses related to depressive symptoms.<br /><br />The PHQ-2 asks whether, over the past two weeks, the resident has experienced: (A) little interest or pleasure in doing things, and (B) feelings of being down, depressed, or hopeless. Responses are recorded in two columns: symptom presence and symptom frequency.<br /><br />If both symptom presence responses are coded as “9” (no response) or both symptom frequency responses are coded either “0” (never or 1 day) or “1” (2–6 days, several days), the interview ends at the PHQ-2. In such cases, the Total Severity Score (D0160) is either left blank or scored 0–2 without proceeding to staff mood assessment, and the interviewer should skip to the Social Isolation section (D0700).<br /><br />However, if the resident’s answers to the PHQ-2 indicate any other pattern—such as presence and frequency exceeding specified thresholds—the full PHQ-9 must be completed, addressing seven additional questions to assess depression severity.<br /><br />This clarification supports consistent PHQ administration and accurate scoring during resident assessments, enhancing depression screening and care planning. The guidance references the Long-Term Care Resident Assessment Instrument 3.0 User’s Manual as its authoritative source. Importantly, the document states its content is informational and does not serve as direct legal or regulatory advice.

Keywords

AAPACN 2025 guidance

Patient Health Questionnaire

PHQ-2 screening

PHQ-9 assessment

long-term care

depression screening

resident assessments

Total Severity Score D0160

social isolation section D0700

Long-Term Care Resident Assessment Instrument 3.0