Quality Improvement Campaign Improved Utilization of Rapid Sequence MRI for Diagnosis of Pediatric Appendicitis.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Appendicitis is the most common indication for emergency general surgery in the pediatric population. Computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) may be used for diagnosis when ultrasound findings are equivocal. However, CT involves unnecessary radiation exposure if MRI is available. After introducing a rapid sequence MRI (rsMRI) appendicitis protocol at our institution, CT was still preferentially used. We therefore implemented a quality improvement (QI) campaign to reduce the rate of CTs and increase the rate of rsMRI. Here, we assess the effectiveness of the QI campaign while evaluating potential barriers to using rsMRI. METHODS: We conducted a mixed methods study, first performing stakeholder interviews which informed the design of a QI campaign initiated in May 2021 and a midway feedback survey in December 2021. A retrospective cohort study was then performed of children evaluated for appendicitis at our institution between January 1, 2016, and April 30, 2022. CT and rsMRI rates were compared before and after QI campaign implementation. RESULTS: There was a significant decrease in rate of CTs and increase in rate of rsMRIs performed following the initiation of the QI campaign (p < 0.0001). The rate of CT scans decreased by a factor of 0.4 while the rate of rsMRI increased by a factor of 9.5. CONCLUSION: A successful QI campaign was initiated at our institution, resulting in decreased utilization of CT and increased use of rsMRI for the evaluation of suspected appendicitis. These results highlight the potential impact of QI projects. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE III.