Patients' response toward an automated orthopedic osteoporosis intervention program

Area of Science:

• Geriatrics
• Public Health
• Health Informatics

Background:

• Osteoporosis management is often overlooked amidst rising chronic illnesses, leading to a significant care gap.
• Patients with fragility fractures have a low rate of follow-up care for osteoporosis (1%-25% without intervention).
• Non-automated interventions face human-related system failures in identifying at-risk patients.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the effectiveness of an automated system in identifying and alerting high-risk osteoporosis patients.
• To improve the patient follow-up response rate after emergency department visits for fragility fractures.

Main Methods:

• Patients aged 50+ with fragility fractures in the ED were identified using diagnostic codes.
• Automated letters were sent 3 months post-ED visit, recommending physician follow-up.
• Patients were telephoned 3 months after letter receipt to assess follow-up plans.

Main Results:

• The intervention group showed a significantly higher follow-up rate (60.19%) compared to the control group (14.29%) (P < .0001).
• The automated system successfully increased patient follow-up post-fracture treatment.
• This automated approach is applicable to most hospitals with minimal cost and resources.

Conclusions:

• Implementing an automated system effectively bridges the care gap for osteoporosis patients at high risk.
• The automated system demonstrates a cost-effective and resource-efficient method to improve patient follow-up.
• This technology enhances the continuum of care for osteoporosis following fragility fractures.