A multimodal intervention to improve fragility fracture management in patients presenting to emergency departments.
OBJECTIVE
To implement and evaluate a multimodal intervention to improve osteoporosis treatment in patients with a fragility fracture.


METHODS
Strategies to improve the management of patients discharged from an emergency department after presentation with fragility fracture were implemented prospectively in a large tertiary public hospital. Patients were surveyed by post to assess their awareness of osteoporosis and of the need for treatment. General practitioners and hospital clinicians completed an online questionnaire about their attitudes to osteoporosis and its management. A simplified consensus guideline was developed for local use. Our study was conducted between 1 October 2007 and 31 October 2008.


METHODS
Rates of referral of patients for osteoporosis review; rates of investigation and treatment.


RESULTS
Although most GPs (259/306 [85%]) accepted that it was their responsibility to assess and treat their patients and inform them of their osteoporosis risk, only 35/87 patients (40%) indicated awareness of their risk. After implementation of our project, the rate of bone mineral densitometry investigations improved from 6/200 (3%) to 39/87 (45%) (P < 0.05). The number of patients receiving calcium and vitamin D supplementation increased from 24/200 (12%) (for both supplements) to 29/87 (33%) and 32/87 (37%), respectively (P < 0.05). Initiation of specific treatments increased from 12/200 (6%) to 26/87 (30%) (P < 0.05). Referral of eligible patients to the Fragile Bone Clinic for osteoporosis review improved from 20/500 (4%) to 51/194 (26%). After being contacted by a fracture liaison nurse, 84% of these patients presented for osteoporosis review in the clinic.


CONCLUSIONS
A major key to improving osteoporosis management is to actively identify all patients at risk and proactively engage and encourage them to seek assessment and management. A multimodal strategy involving a dedicated fracture liaison nurse may offer the greatest potential for improving education and patient follow-up and treatment.
Inderjeeth
Charles A
CA
Osborne Park Hospital Program, North Metropolitan Area Health Service, Perth, WA, Australia. charles.inderjeeth@health.wa.gov.au
Glennon
Denise A
DA
Poland
Kate E
KE
Ingram
Katherine V
KV
Prince
Richard L
RL
Van
Victoria R
VR
Holman
C D'Arcy J
CD
D000368:Aged; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D015519:Bone Density; D002118:Calcium / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital; D050723:Fractures, Bone / Q000209:etiology*; D006801:Humans; D010024:Osteoporosis / Q000628:therapy*; D015663:Osteoporosis, Postmenopausal / Q000628:therapy; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012017:Referral and Consultation; D014807:Vitamin D / Q000627:therapeutic use
D014807:Vitamin D; D002118:Calcium