Evaluation of Standardized Psychological Screening for Pediatric Inpatients

Objective: This study aimed to examine the efficacy of a psychological screening tool for hospitalized pediatric patients to identify those at high risk for adjustment difficulties and optimize referrals to pediatric behavioral health (BH) providers. Specifically, this study evaluated the PROMIS® Parent Proxy 25 to capture the psychosocial needs of the inpatient pediatric population admitted to the general medicine floor in a free standing children’s hospital. Methods: The PROMIS® Parent Proxy 25 was administered to parents of children ages 5 to 17 (N = 128). Chart review was used to group children into those who did or did not receive BH consultation during their admission. Results: Results indicate that the PROMIS® Parent Proxy Anxiety and Depression scales consistently differentiated between children’s consultation status while also indicating a notable level of unmet need in children who did not receive BH consultation. Examination of patterns of scale elevations also provides further information to guide consultations to BH services. Conclusions: Results suggest that the PROMIS® Parent Proxy 25 may be a useful screening tool to determine pediatric patients who need BH referrals. Parental responses to the screener may also be used by CL services to identify patients with BH needs, which would enhance medical provider assessment of patient needs and factors impacting patient functioning.