PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Berkshire Health Systems announced that Berkshire Medical Center has received 2023-2024 Star Performer recognition from The American Orthopaedic Association's (AOA) Own the Bone® program, marking the 8th consecutive year it has been recognized. 

 

"Berkshire Orthopaedic Associates and BMC are proud to partner in this national effort to aid our patients who suffer from osteoporosis-related fractures," said Anthony DeFelice, DO, the surgeon who leads the program for the Berkshire practice. "This is a group effort, and all members of our care team are focused on helping our patients take advantage of our support services so they can get back to their active lifestyles."

 

Berkshire Medical Center is one of over 300 healthcare institutions nationwide that has taken initiative to ensure its osteoporotic fracture patients receive the highest quality care by implementing The American Orthopaedic Association's (AOA) 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 fracture. The program brings attention to the severe health implications of fragility fractures (broken bones that result from a fall from standing height or less) and the multi-faceted approach hospitals or clinics can incorporate to ensure these patients receive the most comprehensive care.

 

Star Performer designation is reserved only for institutions that have achieved a 75 percent compliance rate with at least 5 of the 10 Own the Bone prevention measures. Berkshire Orthopaedic Associates has achieved 100 percent compliance on all but one of the ten measures, with a 99 percent compliance on the tenth, based on data from July 1, 2022 to June 30, 2023. The measures include: educating patients on the importance of calcium and vitamin D, physical activity, falls prevention, limiting alcohol intake and quitting smoking; recommending and initiating bone mineral density testing; discussing pharmacotherapy and treatment (when applicable); and providing written communication to the patient and their physician regarding specific risk factors and treatment recommendations.

 

According to the Bone Health & Osteoporosis Foundation, up to 50% of all women and 25 percent of men over the age of 50 years will sustain a fragility fracture. 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.  Yet, 80% of Medicare patients do not receive recommended osteoporosis care following a fragility fracture.

 

Berkshire Medical Center has participated in the Own the Bone program for over a decade. Together with Berkshire Orthopaedic Associates, over 1,518 patients over 50 years of age presenting with hip fractures have received important information on how to prevent future fractures since 2009.