Overlake Medical Center & Clinics adopts national quality initiative, Own the Bone®

Overlake Medical Center & Clinics has launched a new tool to help prevent repeat fractures and promote bone health in patients who have recently been treated for a fragility fracture.

Own the Bone^® is a web-based program that uses 10 prevention measures to transform the way hospitals treat fracture patients, according to the American Orthopaedic Association. Many people are not aware of the link between fractures and osteoporosis. In fact, there is a good chance a fracture is related to osteoporosis, sometimes called “brittle bone,” if you are over the age of 50. Osteoporosis is a disease characterized by low bone mass, which can make bones more likely to break. It is a silent disease, until a fracture happens.

“At Overlake Medical Center, our mission is compassionate care for every life we touch. Own the Bone stands directly in line with that message. We want to make sure our orthopedic patients are receiving care they can depend on for the long haul, as their independence is so important to quality of life,” said Heidi Laroche, program manager of Total Joint, Orthopedic Trauma & Spine Care at Overlake.

Fragility fractures have become nearly epidemic in the U.S. among older adults, who suffer over 2 million fractures each year. About 85% of patients, 65 or older, do not receive recommended osteoporosis care following a fracture according to the National Committee for Quality Assurance.

The Own the Bone^® program incorporates nutrition, physical activity and lifestyle counseling, drug therapy, testing and communication to measure progress to better bone health. You can find out more about Own the Bone^® by clicking here.