Implementation of the 2015 American Thyroid Association guideline changes across a health system: A quality improvement opportunity

Background

With the release of the 2015 management guidelines, the American Thyroid Association narrowed the indications for postoperative radioactive iodine (RAI) in well-differentiated thyroid cancer. However, the adoption of new guidelines varies between healthcare entities. The goal of this study was to characterize the appropriateness of RAI use within our health system, before and after the 2015 guideline changes.

Methods

In this retrospective cohort study, we identified patients who were treated for well-differentiated thyroid cancer between 2011–2020. Patients were characterized as “undertreated,” “appropriately treated,” or “overtreated” with RAI. Variation in RAI use was assessed using interrupted time series and multivariable logistic regression analyses.

Results

Among 6310 patients, the mean age was 50 ± 15 years, and 74% were female. There was an immediate drop in the likelihood of receiving RAI after the release of the 2015 guidelines (p = 0.016), and the likelihood of receiving RAI therapy continued to significantly decline over time (OR 0.83, p < 0.001). Despite this trend in the absolute rate of RAI use, there was a significant increase in overtreatment with RAI after the release of the 2015 guidelines (p < 0.001), indicating imperfect uptake of the new criteria. Two hospitals within the health system were identified as disproportionate contributors to overtreatment (Hospital 4: OR 6.50, p < 0.001; Hospital 6: OR 8.63, p < 0.001).

Conclusions

While the use of postoperative RAI was largely appropriate across our health system, rates of guideline adherence differed between hospitals. Efforts to standardize treatment protocols systemwide may enable more rapid and consistent uptake of new management guidelines.