Berkshire Medical Center, Berkshire Orthopaedic Associates Recognized for Osteoporosis Care
PITTSFIELD — Berkshire Medical Center (BMC) announced that it received 2022-23 Star Performer recognition from the American Orthopaedic Assoc. (AOA) Own the Bone program, marking the seventh consecutive year it has been recognized.
“Berkshire Orthopaedic Associates and BMC are proud to partner in this national effort to aid our patients who suffer from osteoporosis-related fractures,” said Dr. Anthony DeFelice, the surgeon who leads the program for the Berkshire practice. “This is a group effort, and all members of our care team are focused on helping our patients take advantage of our support services so they can get back to their active lifestyles.”
Berkshire Medical Center is one of more than 275 healthcare institutions nationwide that have taken initiative to ensure that osteoporotic fracture patients receive the highest-quality care by implementing the AOA Own the Bone program. The program is aimed to better identify, evaluate, and treat patients who suffer from an osteoporosis or low-bone-density-related fracture. The program brings attention to the severe health implications of fragility fractures (broken bones that result from a fall from standing height or lower) and the multi-faceted approach hospitals or clinics can incorporate to ensure these patients receive the most comprehensive care.
Star Performer designation is reserved only for institutions that have achieved a 75% compliance rate with at least five of the 10 Own the Bone prevention measures. Berkshire Orthopaedic Associates has achieved between 98% and 100% compliance on all 10 measures, based on data from July 1, 2021 to June 30, 2022. The measures include educating patients on the importance of calcium and vitamin D, physical activity, falls prevention, limiting alcohol intake and quitting smoking, recommending and initiating bone-mineral-density testing, discussing pharmacotherapy and treatment (when applicable), and providing written communication to the patient and their physician regarding specific risk factors and treatment recommendations.
According to the National Osteoporosis Foundation, up to 50% of all women and 25% of men over age 50 will sustain a fragility fracture. Studies show that patients who have had a fragility fracture are two to four times more likely to experience another fracture than those who have never had a fracture. Yet, 80% of Medicare patients do not receive recommended osteoporosis care following a fragility fracture.
Berkshire Medical Center has participated in the Own the Bone program for more than a decade. Together with Berkshire Orthopaedic Associates, more than 1,385 patients over age 50 presenting with hip fractures have received important information on how to prevent future fractures since 2009.