Impact of journal articles and grand rounds on practice: CT scanning in appendicitis

The purpose of this study was to determine whether a report in a high-impact journal published in January 1998 changed practice patterns and to further explore the impact of a review of the subject in a department of surgery grand rounds (January 2000). Charts from all patients undergoing appendectomy at our institution during three time periods (January to December 1997, January to December 1999, and January to June 2000) were reviewed. Rates of CT scanning, negative appendectomy, and perforated/gangrenous appendicitis were compared for the three periods to determine the impact of the journal article and the subject review during grand rounds on practice patterns and outcomes. Charts from 230 (88%) of 262 patients who underwent appendectomy during the time periods were available for review. Age, percentage of male patients, temperature on admission, and white blood cell count did not differ among the groups. The rate of CT scanning increased significantly from 1997 to 1999 and again in 2000 (6.7%, 43%, and 70%, respectively; P < 0.001), whereas the proportion of perforated/gangrenous appendicitis decreased significantly from 33% in 1997 and 31% in 1999 to 13% in 2000 (P = 0.012). The use of CT scanning in appendicitis increased both after publication of a report in a high-impact journal and after review during grand rounds. A rate of CT scanning above 45% appeared to affect outcomes as well.