Fracture liaison service model: project design and accreditation

Area of Science:

• Orthopaedics
• Public Health
• Healthcare Management

Background:

• Fragility fractures, especially femoral fractures, impose substantial socioeconomic burdens globally.
• Osteoporosis awareness is low, leading to underdiagnosis and undertreatment.
• Fracture Liaison Services (FLS) offer a multidisciplinary approach to post-fracture care for frail patients.

Purpose of the Study:

• To outline the Italian Society of Orthopaedics and Traumatology's (SIOT) process for accrediting Fracture Liaison Services (FLS) across Italy.
• To highlight the development of a standardized FLS model for managing fragility fractures.

Main Methods:

• The Italian Society of Orthopaedics and Traumatology (SIOT) developed an FLS model with specific operational steps.
• Italian Fracture Units (FUs) implement this model and undergo auditing by an ACCREDIA-accredited body for international FLS accreditation.

Main Results:

• A comprehensive FLS model has been established through expert collaboration.
• The model details a systematic process for identifying, diagnosing, and initiating secondary prevention for fragility fractures, particularly of the femur.

Conclusions:

• Accreditation of the FLS model facilitates a specialized pathway for fracture prevention.
• This initiative is expected to reduce the health and social costs associated with fragility fractures.