After the fall: improving osteoporosis treatment following hip fracture

Osteoporotic hip fractures can be life changing and can increase mortality. Treatment of osteoporosis following hip fracture is often delayed. We began offering osteoporosis medication during hospitalization for hip fracture, dramatically increasing the number of patients meeting standard of care.

Osteoporotic hip fracture is a debilitating condition with major morbidity and mortality implications. Osteoporosis medication given within 90 days of hip fracture improves mortality and reduces risk of future fractures. The aim of this project was to improve rates of timely osteoporosis treatment following fragility hip fracture.

This was a two-step intervention utilizing the Plan-Do-Study-Act cycle, beginning with resident-focused education in cycle 1. In cycle 2, we offered osteoporosis medication to inpatients for hip fracture with help from a new electronic order set.

Prior to this intervention, 32% of patients received osteoporosis medication within 90 days of fragility hip fracture; this improved to 81% after intervention.

Resident education and an electronic order set dramatically improved the percentage of patients meeting standard of care with osteoporosis pharmacotherapy following fragility fracture.