Australia's use of the Cornell scale to screen for depression in nursing homes

To examine the utility of the Cornell scale for depression in dementia (CSDD), following its introduction as a routine measure in nursing homes.

The CSDD is administered in Australian nursing homes as section 10 of the Aged Care Funding Instrument. CSDD, cognitive and behavioural ratings, and medication use, recorded in three Sydney nursing homes in 2008-2009 were reviewed. Staff discussed what actions were taken if CSDD scores indicated depression.

Of 223 residents, 23% scored >12 on the CSDD, indicating probable depression. Another 21% were possibly depressed and 29% not depressed. The CSDD had not been completed for 27%, commonly because preliminary screening indicated no depression, but sometimes because severe cognitive impairment made various CSDD items impossible to rate. Second CSDD assessments had usually not been made.

Nursing homes need to document policies that will ensure best use is made of CSDD findings.