ProHealth recognized for fragility fracture care

More than 53 million Americans have osteoporosis or are at high risk because of low bone mass, according to the American Orthopaedic Association. That number is expected to increase signi­ficantly in the years ahead as the population ages.

Those with osteoporosis often go undiagnosed and untreated until their first fragility or osteoporotic fracture. In their lifetimes, one in two women and one in four men will experience an osteoporotic fracture.

A fracture is a serious complication of osteoporosis as not everyone will fully recover. Nearly 25% of patients who experience a hip fracture die within one year. Those who survive are at high-risk for future fractures. They also tend to experience a loss of independence and often require long-term nursing home care.

ProHealth Care’s bone health program has taken steps to ensure that osteoporotic fracture patients receive the treatment and care they deserve by participating in the American Orthopaedic Association’s Own the Bone quality improvement program. ProHealth’s bone health team uses the structure, tools and resources from the Own the Bone program to document, track and benchmark care of the patients they identify, evaluate and treat.

After only one year in the program, ProHealth Waukesha Memorial Hospital earned the Own the Bone program’s Star Performer designation. The hospital is one of five Wisconsin participants to earn Star Performer recognition. The achievement is reserved for facilities that perform the highest level of fragility fracture and bone health care as measured by meeting a 75% compliance rate with at least five of 10 preventive measures. ProHealth’s bone health team achieved a perfect rating with 100% compliance across all 10 preventive measures.

Sandra Amadon, MD, a family medicine physician working with the occupational health program, serves as the bone health program director.

“Our participation in the Own the Bone program demonstrates our commitment to helping patients learn about their condition and understand their risk for future fractures,” Dr. Amadon said. “The education the team provides and personalized plans they develop help patients prevent fractures and improve the quality of their lives.”

Those who have experienced a fragility fracture in the past or have concerns about osteoporosis can contact the bone health program directly by calling 262-928-5900 or making an online request for an in-person consultation.