First Fracture Project: addressing the osteoporosis care gap
J Vaile1, L Sullivan, C Bennett
1Department of Rheumatology, Royal Alfred Hospital, Sydney, Australia. janvaile@mail.usyd.edu.au
Internal Medicine Journal
|September 27, 2007
Summary
Patients over 50 with low-trauma fractures face higher risks of future breaks. Our
Area of Science:
- Orthopaedics
- Gerontology
- Metabolic Bone Disease
Background:
- Low-trauma fractures indicate increased risk of subsequent fractures.
- Patients with fragility fractures are often undertreated for underlying osteoporosis.
- Effective management strategies are needed to prevent secondary fractures.
Purpose of the Study:
- To report the development and impact of the 'First Fracture Project'.
- To improve the assessment and management of osteopenia and osteoporosis in patients with low-trauma fractures.
- To enhance the delivery of osteoporosis care to at-risk individuals.
Main Methods:
- Implementation of a systematic assessment protocol in orthopaedic fracture clinics.
- Targeting all patients over 50 years of age presenting with a low-trauma fracture.
- Initiation of treatment for diagnosed osteopenia and osteoporosis.
Main Results:
- The 'First Fracture Project' successfully increased the identification of patients needing osteoporosis care.
- Improved delivery of osteoporosis management to an at-risk population.
- Demonstrated a structured approach to secondary fracture prevention.
Conclusions:
- The 'First Fracture Project' model is effective in improving osteoporosis care delivery.
- Systematic assessment in fracture clinics enhances secondary fracture prevention.
- Proactive management of bone health in fracture patients is crucial.
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