Improving Handoffs After Osteoporotic Fractures

Abstract

Osteoporotic fractures among long-term care residents have substantial economic and human costs. After a fracture, many older adults do not receive an osteoporosis diagnosis or evidence-based treatment, which leads to increased risk of recurrent fractures. Optimal processes are well defined for transitioning medical care after a hip or vertebral fracture for osteoporosis evaluation, but the handoff process from the specialist back to a primary care practitioner (PCP) or to a rehabilitative setting is not well defined. Our interdisciplinary quality improvement team developed and evaluated a program for transitioning care from a hospital-based fracture liaison clinic (FLC) to PCPs caring for older adults across the care continuum. To understand the current process of postfracture care transitions, we analyzed the postfracture patient experience. We surveyed PCPs to assess barriers to osteoporosis treatment, and retrospectively conducted a baseline analysis of 87 patients who had sustained an osteoporotic fracture in 2020. This preliminary work showed several opportunities for practice improvement and helped us develop a practical multicomponent intervention aimed at improving care transitions from the FLC to PCPs. The intervention (June-September 2021) comprised a standardized documentation template in the electronic health record (EHR) for FLC clinicians, a structured handoff process, and an engagement tool for patients outlining the roles and responsibilities of each care team member. We compared care transition measures before and after intervention. EHR documentation of an osteoporosis diagnosis increased from 56% (49 of 87 patients) before intervention to 92% (48 of 52) after intervention (P < .001). Additionally, increases were observed in documentation of treatment recommendations, associated risk factors, and PCP discussions with patients regarding osteoporosis and related treatment. This practical, commonsense intervention established clear roles for each care team member. The intervention addressed systemwide barriers in facilitating a safe transition from a subspecialty care team to PCPs providing care to older adults with osteoporosis.

Keywords: Interdisciplinary communication; osteoporotic fractures; patient handoff.