Fracture unit: a (possible) model of implementation in Italy

The "Fracture Unit" is one of the possible answers to the advanced health needs of the growing number of elderly in our Country, aimed at achieving effective and efficient management of fracture events due to osteoporosis or fragility fractures. Here we proposed an implementation model that can represent an ideal and virtuous path that should be dedicated to every fractured patient. This model should provide specific responses to the health needs of the fractured patient and specifically responses to the health needs of the subject as a frail patient. The goal of this model is therefore to define and structure "a priori" a multidisciplinary course where the patient should be automatically inserted at the time of contact with the health facility following the fracture event, to establish a similar structured course even for the post-acute phase, that is taken over by large social-health areas or districts; and meet the cost for the definition of the rehabilitation.An optimal communication between hospital and general practitioners, responsible necessarily of the continuous reassessment of the patient, and the monitoring of patient's adherence to treatment are needed for a successful outcome and application of the implementation's model.