Improving Care for Osteoporosis Related Fractures

Improving Care for Osteoporosis Related Fractures

A new pilot program has been launched aiming to help improve care for patients with osteoporosis that are receiving post-fracture care. McKnight’s reports this program has been launched by advocates of bone health at the National Osteoporosis Foundation (NOF). NOF is collaborating with Medstar Health in Maryland and Atrium Health in North Carolina for this “post-fracture care pathway”. The goal of this program is to reduce secondary fractures.

About 15 years ago, the Fracture Liaison Service model was developed for post-fracture care. The goal was to identify patients who may be at risk for a secondary fracture. However, NOF reports that presently less than 20 percent of older women with osteoporosis receive care six months after a fracture.

Older adults are more prone to breaking bones due to osteoporosis. One in two women and one in four men ages 50 and older are expected to have fractures.

The treatment of osteoporosis is a combined effort of different specialties. This program will help coordinate them together for a more efficient approach. Best practices will be developed within different program sites to help make communication more effective.

Some biopharmaceutical companies including UCB and Amgen have expressed their support for this program.

Claire Gill, CEO of NOF, stated “with osteoporosis causing an estimated two million broken bones per year, we know osteoporosis-related bone breaks are responsible for significant human and financial costs. There has never been a greater need for effective post-fracture prevention and care coordination programs.”

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