Background/Purpose: Patients hospitalized for hip fractures are routinely scheduled for a Rheumatology follow-up appointment to assess their risk of future fractures and need for treatment. Follow-up in our clinic after hospitalization for a hip fracture has been notoriously poor. The purpose of this study was to determine the rate of outpatient follow-up after a hip fracture and implement an intervention to increase the rate.

Methods: We conducted a chart review involving 50 hospitalized hip fracture patients prior to intervention, and 50 hospitalized hip fracture patients after intervention. The intervention included an informational handout which explained the risk of osteoporosis and risks that can lead to further fractures, the importance of receiving a bone density scan, and different treatments to help prevent further fractures that can be implemented as an outpatient. This informational handout was given to the patient and/or family prior to hospital discharge. The results were documented comparing clinic follow-up rates prior to intervention and follow-up rates after intervention.

Results: After reviewing 50 charts from July 2006 to March 2011 of hospitalized hip fracture patients, it was noted that only 3/50 (6%) of patients followed up in our clinic. After implementing our intervention, a chart review was then done from May 2011 to February 2012 and 20/50 (40%) of patients have followed up to our clinic following their hospitalization. This shows a significant increase in follow-up rates after the intervention was initiated.

Conclusion: Outpatient follow-up for a patient after being hospitalized for a hip fracture is extremely important to prevent further fractures which can increase a patient’s morbidity and mortality. After receiving an informational handout while in the hospital, we found that the outpatient follow-up rate increased dramatically.  It is concluded that once patients and their families fully understood the importance of seeing a physician to assist in preventing further fractures, they were more willing to make a follow-up appointment in the outpatient setting.

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« Back to 2012 ACR/ARHP Annual Meeting

ACR Meeting Abstracts - https://acrabstracts.org/abstract/improving-outpatient-follow-up-for-osteoporosis-management-after-a-hip-fracture/