De-implementing Low Value Preoperative Care Wisely

Low-value care is defined as a test or treatment for which there is no evidence of patient benefit or where there is evidence of more harm than benefit. Choosing Wisely Canada (CWC) is a professionally led campaign that rallies medical professional to address the issue of low value care. For example, the CWC anaesthesiology recommendations produced by the Canadian Anaesthesiologists' Society recommends against baseline ordering of pre-operative tests.

Whilst the identification of potential areas of low-value care is an important first step in addressing this problem, the issue of implementing Choosing Wisely (CW) like recommendations has not received adequate attention

In the investigators previous study based on the Theoretical Domains Framework (TDF) (REB18-1097), they identified the factors that influence test ordering before low-risk surgical procedures. Barriers identified included conflict about who was responsible for the test-ordering (Social/professional role and identity), inability to cancel tests ordered by fellow physicians (Beliefs about capabilities and Social influences), and logistic problems with tests being completed before the anesthesiologists see the patient (Beliefs about capabilities and Environmental context and resources). There were also concerns that not testing might be associated with harms (Beliefs about Consequences). These findings led to the development of a theory-informed intervention that identifies anesthesiologists as primarily responsible for ordering of tests and strengthens accountability within hospitals. The next phase involves evaluating the theory-informed intervention.

The investigators will conduct a cluster randomized controlled trial in 20 hospitals in Alberta, Canada to evaluate whether the theory-based intervention to improve accountability can decrease the use of low-value tests before non-urgent surgery in otherwise healthy patients

Objectives The overall aim of this trial is to evaluate whether a theory-based intervention that addresses barriers and facilitators of persistent low value test ordering reduces low-value preoperative test (ECGs and CXRs) in patients undergoing low risk surgery.

The specific objectives are to:

1. Evaluate whether the intervention leads to a decrease in low-value preoperative test ordering compared to the control arm (standard of care).
2. Conduct a process evaluation to determine whether the intervention is delivered as designed (fidelity); to determine whether any changes in low-value preoperative test ordering are mediated through changes to the perceived barriers/enablers (mechanism of action); and to understand healthcare workers and patients experiences of the intervention.
3. Evaluate whether the intervention offers good value for money from the perspective of Canada's publicly funded health care system.

METHODS This pragmatic parallel arm cluster randomized controlled trial with pre- and post-intervention measurements will be conducted in hospitals that perform preoperative assessments (preadmission clinics, PACs) in Alberta, Canada. The intervention will be delivered to anaesthesiologists, surgeons, internists, pre-admission clinic nurses, and administrative staff responsible for the care for patients who are over 18 years of age and undergoing low-risk surgical procedures, defined as procedures with less than 1% mortality or cardiac events, including but not limited to endoscopy, ophthalmologic surgery, knee arthroscopy, hernia repair.

OBJECTIVE 1 Interventions Eligible hospitals will be randomly allocated to the intervention (multi-component intervention) and control arm (standard of care).

Intervention description The intervention will focus on increasing accountability for preoperative test ordering to reduce the number of inappropriate tests ordered for patients having ambulatory surgeries. A multi-component approach will be used to address the accountability of who should order preoperative tests for patients undergoing ambulatory surgery.

• Changing PAC and Hospital Policies
• Identification of a Local Champion
• Delivering an Education Workshop
• Restructuring Patient Flow and Responsibility

OBJECTIVE 2 The investigators will conduct a mixed-methods theory-based process evaluation alongside the trial. The evaluation will be performed through mechanistic sub-study (to determine whether our interventions activated the hypothesized mediating pathways and if so, was this sufficient to lead to implementation) and fidelity evaluation (to understand participants' experiences of being in a trial, and to determine whether the content of interventions was delivered as designed).

OBJECTIVE 3 The investigators will conduct a cost-effectiveness analysis from the perspective of Alberta Health. The total costs will include the costs of the intervention and observed harms associated with preoperative assessment (hospital admissions and re-operations).