Electronic medical record reminder improves osteoporosis management after a fracture: a randomized, controlled trial.
OBJECTIVE
Osteoporosis treatment rates after a fracture are low. This study evaluated methods to increase guideline-recommended osteoporosis care postfracture.


METHODS
Participants were randomly assigned to usual care or one of two interventions. Analysis of primary outcomes used electronic data and linear regression.


METHODS
A Pacific Northwest nonprofit health maintenance organization.


METHODS
Female patients aged 50 to 89 who suffered a fracture in 1999 and had not received bone mineral density (BMD) measurement or medication for osteoporosis (n=311) and their primary care providers (n=159).


METHODS
Patient-specific clinical guideline advice to the primary care provider delivered by electronic medical record (EMR) message or electronic reminder to the provider plus an educational letter mailed to the patient.


METHODS
BMD measurement and osteoporosis medication.


RESULTS
At 6 months, provider reminder resulted in 51.5% of patients receiving BMD measurement or osteoporosis medication, provider reminder plus patient education resulted in 43.1%, and usual care resulted in 5.9% (P<.001). The effect of provider advice combined with patient education was not significantly different from provider advice alone (P=.88). Patients aged 60 to 69 were 18% (95% confidence interval=3-34) more likely to receive BMD measurement or an osteoporosis medication than those aged 80 to 89.


CONCLUSIONS
Patient-specific postfracture advice to the provider through an EMR message significantly increased BMD measurement and osteoporosis medication. As EMRs become more widespread, this intervention could improve osteoporosis management for many postfracture patients. Future research should identify barriers to and facilitators of care for older, high-risk patients.
Feldstein
Adrianne
A
Center for Health Research, Kaiser Permanente, Portland, Oregon 97227, USA. adrianne.c.feldstein@kpchr.org
Elmer
Patricia J
PJ
Smith
David H
DH
Herson
Michael
M
Orwoll
Eric
E
Chen
Chuhe
C
Aickin
Mikel
M
Swain
Martha C
MC
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015519:Bone Density; D050071:Bone Density Conservation Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D050723:Fractures, Bone / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D006801:Humans; D016347:Medical Records Systems, Computerized; D008875:Middle Aged; D010024:Osteoporosis / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000628:therapy*; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D011859:Radiography; D017010:Reminder Systems; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D050071:Bone Density Conservation Agents