Introduction: The Fracture Care and Prevention Program is a comprehensive healthcare initiative established in 2016 at Western Health to enhance clinical care for fragility-fractured patients. The program integrates the Fracture Liaison Service (FLS), DXA assessments, Falls and Fracture Clinic, and Gait and Balance Gym, aiming for early identification, investigation, and treatment initiation of fragility fractures to promote bone health and reduced fracture incidence.
Methods: This multidisciplinary nurse-led program employs a systematic approach to identify fragility fractured patients. Early identification is facilitated through the Fracture Liaison Service, allowing timely assessment and intervention. Comprehensive fracture risk assessments, including DXA scans and falls risk evaluations, are conducted to tailor personalised care plans. The multidisciplinary team collaborates to implement evidence-based interventions, ensuring the most effective fracture management.
Results: Over seven years, the Fracture Care and Prevention Program assessed a total of 3838 patients, revealing a distribution of fractures: 41.31% with hip fractures, 6.48% with spine fractures, and 52.21% with fractures in other sites. The program actively participated in care planning for 3108 patients and provided comprehensive assessments for 746 individuals via the Falls and Fracture Clinic. The program has received positive feedback from primary care providers, patients, researchers, and clinicians, reflecting the program's effectiveness.
Outcomes: The Program has achieved significant positive outcomes including: improved accessibility to Bone Density assessments, and strong collaborations with primary care providers. Patients empowerment through education and personalised interventions, has led to increased engagement in fracture prevention and management resulting in improved bone health and reduced future fracture incidents.
Conclusion: The Fracture Care and Prevention Program's multidisciplinary and proactive approach plays a pivotal role in enhancing clinical care for fragility-fractured patients. Early identification, comprehensive assessments, targeted interventions, and patient education collectively contribute to improved patient outcomes and reduced healthcare costs. As the positive impact of the program becomes evident, the integration of similar comprehensive care models within healthcare systems is encouraged to further prioritise evidence-based fracture prevention. The Fracture Care and Prevention Program stands as an exemplar of effective fracture management and underscores the significance of proactive and patient-centered care in reducing fracture incidence and enhancing overall clinical care.