Fracture Prevention Program
Managing and preventing osteoporosis and fragility fractures is one of the community’s greatest unmet health needs. That is why we have collaborated with physicians, surgeons and orthopedic staff to create the Own the Bone program.
Nearly 25 percent of patients who suffer a hip fracture die within one year. In most cases, they first suffer a minor fracture due to undiagnosed and untreated osteoporosis. Fortunately, with comprehensive treatment for osteoporosis, we can reduce future fracture risk by half.
How it Works
Patient identification and treatment through the program consists of two components: prevention and streamlined care.
Prevention
A custom secondary prevention program is started with high-risk patients upon admission. This prevention program is implemented over a three-month period.
Streamlined Care
Evidence-based care and performance improvement methods are used to streamline the effectiveness and efficiency of the care patients receive throughout the hospital:
- Bixler Trauma & Emergency Center and the Tallahassee Memorial Emergency Center - Northeast
- Operating Room
- Orthopedics Center
- Rehabilitation Center
Our program identifies patients at high risk for fragility fractures and provides individual counseling to educate them on how to reduce their risk for future fractures.
Education includes the following important lifestyle changes:
- Adequate intake of Calcium and Vitamin D.
- Weight-bearing, strengthening and balance exercises.
- Fall safety measures from the home and in the community.
- Avoiding smoking.
- Avoiding excessive alcohol use.
In addition, the participant is advised to discuss further measures to prevent future fractures with their Primary Care Physician including bone mineral density testing and osteoporosis treatment. Primary care physicians receive a notification letter providing guidelines for the care of the fragility fracture patient.
