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A depression diagnosis that warrants treatment or treatment change, needs at least one of the first two questions endorse as positive (little pleasure, feeling depressed) indicating the symptom has been present more than half the time in the past two weeks.

 

In addition the tenth question about difficulty at work or home or getting along with others should be answered at least "somewhat difficult".

 

When a depression diagnosis has been made patient preferences should be considered, especially when choosing between treatment recommendations of antidepressant treatment and psychotherapy.

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The PHQ-2 inquires about the frequency of depressed mood and anhedonia over the past two weeks. The PHQ-2 includes the first two items of the PHQ-9.

 

The purose of the PHQ-2 is not to establish a final diagnosis or to monitor depression severity, but rather to screen for depression in a "first step" approach.

 

Patients who screen positive should be further evaluated with the PHQ-9 to determine whether they meet criteria for a depressive disorder.

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Clinic policy for cancellation of appointments.
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“Social networking” or “Web 2.0” is the portion of internet activity that includes blogging, as well as the use of the following tools:  Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, flickr and YouTube.  This list is likely to expand, contract or otherwise change based on emerging trends.

Social networking builds and strengthens relationships with health center staff, boards, advocates, patients. Expand our ability to reach, educate and mobilize potential supporters and advocates. It is a significant source in the online environment of information related to health care delivery to medically underserved persons in general and health centers in particular. Expand the reach of our messages via communications channels that more and more individuals, policymakers and the media are using. Boost traffic to your organizations web site.

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Sample policy describing clinic translation services.
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Guidelines with regards to acceptable and unacceptable absences from the workplace.
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The purpose of this policy is to inform patient of the importance of keeping their appointments, or calling to cancel 15 minutes prior to appointment time, as well as to maintain proper provider productivity levels, while providing quality primary care to patients.
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Clinic policy for scheduling walk-in visits.
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All abnormal pap results will have a follow-up plan documented in the patient’s chart within four weeks of receiving the report.
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For patient receiving at least her 3rd Depo Provera Injection
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It is the policy of Shasta Community Health Center to prescribe injectable contraceptive medications to female patients at risk of pregnancy.
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Flow chart mapping out new patient Depo Provera Protocol
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Sample statement of health center ethics.
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Sample statement of health center mission and values
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A sample statement of health center mission and guiding principals.
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Patient Bill of Rights in Spanish.
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Sample patient bill of rights in Spanish.
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Sample patient bill of rights in English.
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A sample patient satisfaction form that is commercially available, in English and Spanish.
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A more involved 2-page sample form given to patients to evalluate their overall experience at the clinic.
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A sample health center policy for assessing patient satisfaction.
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Health Centers can reduce their liability for lawsuits by ensuring they are eligible for coverage by the Federal Tort Claims Act (FTCA), which offers protection akin to medical malpractice insurance to federally-funded Migrant and Community Health Centers. Since Health Centers are required to refer patients to medically-necessary specialty care services that are not within their capacity to provide, it is important to be consider the Health Center’s coverage and potential exposure in the event that problems arise connected to the referral.

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In order to meet the needs of special populations such as migrant farmworkers, Health Centers often use non-traditional delivery methods to provide health care. For example, services may be provided at locations other than their own bricks-and-mortar location that are more convenient for patients. Health Centers can reduce their liability for lawsuits from incidents arising while their employees are working off-site by ensuring they are eligible for coverage by the Federal Tort Claims Act (FTCA), which offers protection akin to medical malpractice insurance to federally-funded Migrant and Community Health Centers.

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In recognition of the importance of behavioral health as a component of quality health care delivery, HRSA requires health centers to provide these services to their patient population. These are services that are difficult for many MHCs to provide onsite so they must be contracted to outside providers. Behavioral health services may include, but are not limited to, counseling for mental health issues (e.g., depression, anxiety) and substance abuse (e.g., alcohol, recreational drugs). Health centers need to be aware of the special requirements imposed by HIPAA on medical records generated by the provision of behavioral health services, and consider the impact on FTCA coverage of referring patients to outside and/or off-site providers.

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As part of their enabling services for farmworkers, Health Centers may provide transportation to and from appointments. In the event of an incident arising from providing this service, Health Centers can implement certain policies and practices to reduce their risk of liability.

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Unlike providers of many other federally-funded services and benefits, Health Centers are permitted to serve undocumented patients, and are not required to ask about a patient’s immigration status. Migrant Health Centers need to ensure that their policies protect patient privacy while complying with applicable laws on collection and disclosure of patient information.

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To establish a procedure by which a patient may have antibiotics for prophylaxis ordered without a provider visit.
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A description of dental appointment and scheduling terms for dental receptionists.
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