What is FLS?
A fracture liaison service (FLS) is a champion-led care model that works to coordinate post fracture osteoporosis care. A FLS educates patients and the care team about osteoporosis, investigates fracture risk and secondary causes of osteoporosis (which may include laboratory evaluation, bone density testing, and fall risk assessment), and initiates pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic treatment strategies to reduce the risk of secondary fractures. A FLS tracks patients in a registry to ensure continuity of care, compliance, and ongoing quality improvement. The FLS also communicates the plan of care to the care team, including the primary care provider.
The current post-fracture standard of care is lacking.
In September 2019, the National Osteoporosis Foundation released a report that outlines the clinical and human impact of osteoporotic fractures on the Medicare population. The following key findings from the report show the need for increased focus on post-fracture care:
Approximately 2.3 million osteoporotic fractures were suffered by 2 million Americans covered by Medicare in 2015.
Only 9 percent of women covered by Medicare FFS who suffered an osteoporotic fracture were screened for osteoporosis with a bone mineral density test within six months following their fracture. Other evidence shows that fewer than 20% receive effective treatments post-fracture.
Over 40 percent of Medicare FFS beneficiaries with a new osteoporotic fracture were hospitalized within a week after their fracture and nearly 20 percent died within 12 months following a new osteoporotic fracture.
The report concludes that reducing between 5 percent and 20 percent of these “secondary” fractures in 2015 could have reduced Medicare FFS spending by $310 million to $1.2 billion over a follow-up period that lasted up to 2 to 3 years after a new osteoporotic fracture
Osteoporosis can be treated and fractures prevented.
“There is a significant gap in osteoporosis care, and our hospitals are becoming revolving doors for fracture patients being sent home, and returning with new fractures, rather than being properly assessed and treated for osteoporosis”
— Professor Peter Ebeling, Launch of Australian National SOS Fracture Alliance
The first fracture should be the last fracture.
Get in touch.
It all begins with an idea. Maybe you are interested in starting a FLS, or you have a post fracture osteoporosis program in place that is not functioning well. We are here to help. If you have any questions or would like additional information, fill this form out and a member of our team will reach out to you. Remember, we are here to help. It’s about the Right People Joining together to do this!