Grant: Project Grant

One in 2 women and 1 in 5 men have a fragility fracture after the age of 50. This type of fracture happens after a slip, trip or fall from standing height or less. Once individuals have a fragility fracture, they are likely to have another fragility fracture, such as a devastating hip fracture. In many countries, there are programs to prevent future fractures in those who have had their first fracture. One type of fracture prevention program is called the Fracture Liaison Service. A Fracture Liaison Service program is typically found in the fracture clinic or emergency department of a hospital. The Fracture Liaison Service program has been shown to prevent future fractures as well as death after a fracture, and to save the health care system money. Health care costs after a fracture include the cost of being admitted to a hospital or to an extended care facility or nursing home. There are also costs if the fracture leads to a long-term disability. In this study, we propose to deliver a Fracture Liaison Service program in a rehabilitation hospital. Patients are more likely to be older and to have a greater chance of re-fracturing in a rehabilitation hospital compared to patients in a fracture clinic or emergency department. We will see if the Fracture Liaison Service program is successful by examining several outcomes, including treatment with medication. The overall purpose of this research is to reduce re-fracture rates and improve the health of patients who have been admitted to a rehabilitation hospital with a fracture.