Interprofessional care for patients with osteoporosis in a continuing care retirement community

To assess the quality of care provided to patients with osteoporosis in a continuing care retirement community (CCRC) after implementation of an interprofessional osteoporosis clinic (OPC). Specifically, quality measures were evaluated, including dual-emission X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) screening, calcium and vitamin D supplementation, and prescription treatment of osteoporosis and low bone mass in an ambulatory independent living community.

Large family medicine teaching practice that provides primary care for residents in one main practice, 5 rural satellite practices, and 2 CCRCs. An interprofessional OPC was developed at the main practice in 2005. Patients at all of the organization's sites could be referred to the main practice for osteoporosis management. A needs assessment conducted at one of the CCRCs in 2011 revealed that rates of screening and treatment were suboptimal for its residents despite availability of an off-site OPC.

In 2012, a new interprofessional OPC including a physician, medical assistant, and pharmacist was replicated on-site at the CCRC so that residents had access to this service within their medical home.

Quality measures were evaluated after implementation of the team-based OPC on-site at a CCRC and included: 1) DXA screening; 2) calcium and vitamin D supplementation; and 3) prescription treatment of osteoporosis and low bone mass.

Twenty-nine patients were seen in the new OPC from January 2012 to August 2013. Ninety-three percent had appropriate DXA testing after OPC implementation. Patients accepted pharmacist recommendations regarding calcium and vitamin D supplementation 90% and 86% of the time, respectively. All but 4 patients received appropriate treatment for osteoporosis or low bone mass.

Providing a team-based OPC on site in a CCRC improved quality measures for screening and treatment of osteoporosis and low bone mass.