HOI Named Own the Bone Star Performer for 2021

Hoag Orthopedic Institute is proud to announce they have received an Own the Bone Star Performer designation for the upcoming year, an achievement reserved only for institutions that perform the highest level of fragility fracture and bone health care. Own the Bone Star Performers like Hoag Orthopedic Institute must achieve a 75% compliance rate with at least 5 of the 10 Own the Bone prevention measures, including: 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

Hoag Orthopedic Institute has taken steps to ensure its osteoporotic fracture patients receive the treatment and care they deserve through participation in The American Orthopaedic Association’s (AOA) Own the Bone® quality improvement (QI) program. Through this QI program, Hoag Orthopedic Institute received the tools to establish a secondary fracture prevention program, or fracture liaison service (FLS), with the goal of preventing future fractures. FLS programs use a care coordinator, in the case of Hoag Orthopedic Institute it is a Clinical Nurse Specialist, to help ensure that fragility fracture patients are identified and receive appropriate evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment.

“It's an honor for HOI to be recognized as a Star Performer in the Own The Bone initiative,” said sports medicine physician Adam Rivadeneyra, MD. “HOI takes great pride in community and patient education, as well as industry-leading patient care outcomes. Protecting and optimizing bone health is a great way to keep our HOI patients healthy, active, and safe.”

Through participation in Own the Bone and recognition as an Own the Bone Star Performer, Hoag Orthopedic Institute has demonstrated a commitment to helping patients understand their risk for future fractures and the steps they can take to prevent them. The organization joined this public health effort in late 2013. Hundreds of patients have enrolled in the program and each year since being eligible, Hoag Orthopedic Institute has received the Star Performer designation. Communication between the FLS, the patient’s primary care physician and the patient is key to the success!

“It brings me great pleasure to know that Hoag Orthopedic Institute plays a major role in preventing future fragility fractures not only for those within our community but across the country,” said Marisa R. Swain, MSN, RN, ACNS-BC, PHN, ONC, Clinical Nurse Specialist at Hoag Orthopedic Institute. “When we get patients in the hospital from out of state with a fragility fracture, the same education and follow-up is provided to ensure they have their well-being placed at the forefront of their care. Patients are always surprised when they get a call months after their hospital stay to check on them to see how they are doing, and to assure that follow-up care has been provided for their bone health.”

What can patients do to protect their bones?

• Get adequate calcium and vitamin D, either through diet or supplements, if necessary.
• Engage in regular weight bearing and muscle strengthening exercise.
• Avoid smoking and limit your alcohol to 2-3 drinks per day.
• Have you or a loved one had a broken bone over age 50? Talk to your health care provider and get a bone density screening to determine if osteoporosis might be the cause and learn additional steps you might need to take to prevent future fractures.