GERIATRICS ORTHOPAEDICS CO-MANAGEMENT OF FRAGILITY FRACTURES IN ROCHESTER, NEW YORK, AND THE USA

Abstract

AbstractThe Geriatrics Fracture Center (GFC) at Highland Hospital developed an innovative co-management model for fragility fracture care in 2004. Each patient is assigned both an orthopaedics surgeon and a geriatrician who share responsibility for insuring high quality care throughout the patient’s entire hospitalization. Standardized protocols and consult notes are used to decrease unwarranted variability. Lean process and continuous quality and performance improvement techniques are used to maintain or improve person-centered and system-based outcomes. The center is a model for value-added geriatrics. The GFC has sustained improvements in mortality, complications, length of stay, readmission rates, and cost. The GFC, in collaboration with Brown University and the American Geriatrics Society, is working on a dissemination program to spread the model with generous funding from the John A. Hartford Foundation. In this presentation, the structure of the GFC and outcomes will be discussed as well as the potential to replicate the program.