The Borgess Bone & Joint Institute has implemented the American Orthopaedic Association’s Own the Bone™ Program. The program is aimed to better identify, evaluate and treat patients that suffer from an osteoporosis or low bone density-related fragility fracture (a broken bone that results from a fall from standing height or less). The program brings focus to the severe health implications of fragility fractures and the multi-faceted approach hospitals or clinics can employ to ensure these patients receive the most comprehensive care.

Statistics surrounding this health issue are alarming! According to the National Osteoporosis Foundation (NOF), up to 50% of all women and 25% of men over the age of 50 years will sustain fragility fractures in their remaining lifetime.  The American Bone Health Prevalence Report states that more people in the United States suffer a fragility fracture each year than are diagnosed with a heart attack (MI), stroke or breast cancer combined and is projected to significantly increase as the population ages. Studies show that patients who have had a fragility fracture are 2 to 4 times more likely to experience another fracture than those who have never had a fracture. That is, once a patient experiences a fracture, they are very like to get another one.

According to the National Committee for Quality Assurance, only 1 in 5 Medicare patients have received the osteoporosis care they needed after a fracture.  The Own the Bone Program is a national Web-based quality improvement registry that incorporates 10 measures for reducing future fractures and provides the Borgess Bone & Joint Institute with immediate feedback on program performance to measure the Borgess Bone & Joint Institute’s success and helps benchmark our institution against other institutions. With Own the Bone, The Borgess Bone & Joint Institute reduces this huge treatment gap and ensure that our patients with fragility fractures are screened and appropriately treated for low bone density or osteoporosis.

“By following recommendations on patient education, testing, and treatment of osteoporosis, and entering information into the Web-based data registry, health care providers can begin to see how their actions are positively affecting patient care,” said Mary Vajgrt, MD, Primary Care Sports Medicine Specialist with the Borgess Bone & Joint Institute. “The program is able to produce internal and external benchmarking results that reflect how Borgess Bone & Joint Institute patients with fragility fractures are being positively affected by Own the Bone.”

Certified Physician Assistant Robert J. Houser, PA-C, has joined the Borgess Bone & Joint Institute.

Houser received a Bachelor of Science in Medicine from St. Louis University, St. Louis, Missouri, and a Master of Physician Assistant Studies from the University of Nebraska, Lincoln.  He previously served as a full-time physician assistant with River Valley Orthopedics in Grand Rapids.

Houser is a fellow of the American Academy of Physician Assistants, and a member of the Michigan Association of Physician Assistants and Physician Assistants in Orthopedic Surgery.

The Borgess Bone & Joint Institute brings together highly skilled surgeons, primary care specialists and certified mid-level providers to offer southwest Michigan residents comprehensive orthopedic care, making treatment and recovery simpler, faster and more effective.

For more information, please visit bonejoint.borgess.com or call 269.350.2760.