30th June 2009
More patients have access to osteoporosis care
A third more patients in Essex can now receive comprehensive osteoporosis care thanks to the expansion of the DXA scanning service at mid Essex hospitals in Chelmsford.
The DXA service, which is used to detect the brittle bone disease – osteoporosis, has expanded thanks to a grant from the National Osteoporosis Society of just over £133,000.
The grant has been used to employ two additional staff in the Trust’s DXA scanning service, bringing the team up to three. This means that the service can be expanded and run more effectively.
Dr Arul Srinivasan, rheumatology consultant, said:” Previously we only had one specialist osteoporosis nurse in our DXA scanning team, but with the additional funding we have been able to employ an additional fracture liaison nurse and a secretary. This means that we will not only be able to increase the number of patients that we scan, but also we will be able to identify, investigate and treat patients with osteoporosis early to prevent further fractures.
“Evidence shows that the risk of sustaining a second fracture is more than three fold within a year in patients with osteoporotic spine fracture. We are also planning to increase the educational sessions for patients. Follow up clinics will be held to assess drug compliance.”
The annual UK cost for treating osteoporotic fractures is estimated to be between £1.5–1.8 billion and is expected to increase to £2.1 billion by 2010. 20% of all orthopedic beds are taken up by patients with hip fractures. After a hip fracture up to 20% of patients die within a year, 20% require long-term residential care and 50% of survivors are incapacitated.
All patients who come into the hospital with a low trauma fracture will be assessed and scanned for osteoporosis. If osteoporosis is detected then treatment can be commenced early.
ENDS
Media contact : Jo Triggs tel: (01245) 514235 | Mobile : 0790 005 4948
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