A Hospitalist-Led Fracture Liaison Service Improves Care of Hip Fracture Patients

Abstract Background: Osteoporosis care traditionally falls to outpatient primary care providers despite the fact that over 300,000 elderly patients are hospitalized yearly with hip fractures in the United States. Internal medicine hospitalists are often involved in the co-management of their care on surgical teams and are skillful in osteoporosis recognition and management. Objective: A hospitalist-led Fracture Liaison Service (FLS) was established to provide improved care of hospitalized patients with hip fractures. Methods: A retrospective evaluation of inpatient and post-discharge management of patients admitted with low-impact hip fractures was performed before (8/17-2/18) and after (8/19 - 2/20) launch of the hospitalist Fracture Liaison Service (H-FLS). Results: Eighty-nine patients were admitted with a hip fracture in post-launch period compared to 73 admitted prior. 74% vs 11% of eligible patients (based on adequate renal function and vitamin D stores) were discharged with anti-osteoporosis medications (p<0.001), 82% vs 38% were discharged with vitamin D/calcium supplements (p<0.001), 22% vs 5% underwent a DXA scan after discharge (p<0.05) and 65% vs 0% were referred to outpatient osteoporosis-specific care at discharge (p<0.001). Conclusion: A hospitalist-led FLS is a unique approach to osteoporosis care that significantly improved quality metrics for elderly patients with osteoporotic hip fractures including initiation of anti-osteoporosis medication and bone density imaging. Outpatient follow-up data are needed to evaluate adherence to this initial management over time.