[Impact of implementation strategies on adherence rates to colorectal cancer (CRC) guidelines after polypectomy in a university hospital].

BACKGROUND: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the second most common malignancy in Germany. Screening colonoscopies with polypectomy have been demonstrated to reduce the incidence of CRC. Detailed recommendations on scheduling screening and follow-up colonoscopies have therefore been included into national guidelines. Knowledge about CRC guidelines and adherence to guideline recommendations varies greatly among physicians.

METHODS: We combined different implementation strategies (training courses, case discussion, handouts, wall charts) to improve adherence of recommendations for scheduling follow-up colonoscopy. To assess adherence, written recommendations given at discharge after inpatient treatment for polypectomy were analysed before (n = 111) and after (n = 83) the implementation of the above-mentioned implementation measures. Additional factors possibly influencing the recommendations of physicians were collected (histology, polyp size).

RESULTS: The adherence to the CRC guideline before implementation of the above-mentioned measures was moderate. After intervention, there was a non-significant increase from 47 % to 53 %. Senior physician review and editing of the discharge summaries improved guideline adherence of recommendations to 69 %. Neither the education level of residents nor their affiliation to a certain department had an impact on the quality of the recommendations. Histology and in particular information on the resection status of the polyps in the pathology report (complete versus incomplete resection) had an influence of the recommended schedule. Furthermore, size of the polyps, but not the number, had a statistically significant influence on the quality of the recommendations.

CONCLUSIONS: The inadequate improvement of guideline adherence can possibly be explained by the insufficient interactive and repetitive character of interventions. As the histology reports seem to have an influence on the recommendations in regards to the interval to the next colonoscopy, interdisciplinary teaching is necessary to improve guideline concurrent care.