Fracture Liaison Service Database Annual report
The Falls and Fragility Fracture Audit Programme (FFFAP) has published an annual report on Improved FLS identification with gaps in monitoring: a call to action for national and regional planners, from the Fracture Liaison Service Database (FLS-DB). Based on data from 1 January to 31 December 2022, it describes the assessment and treatment of osteoporosis by 69 FLSs for 65,843 patients who sustained a fragility fracture in 2022, for use by healthcare professionals, decision-makers and the wider NHS.
Nationally, between 2021 and 2022, despite the significant pressures on the NHS, there was a major improvement in identification of patients and falls assessment. However, there was little improvement in time to Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) or monitoring. The reporting also found there has been no improvement in assessment or monitoring, and inequity is demonstrable with poor FLS governance. It also found that more FLSs are now delivering over 80% identification rates for non-spine fractures.
The report’s recommendations include:
- The sharing of best practice for funding and identification pathways
- Prioritisation of FLS funding based on expected number of avoided fractures from a comprehensive service
- A call for FLSs to work with DXA providers to ensure access based on patient need
- A personalised approach to assessment, decision-making and support for specific patient groups
- Recommendation that senior decision-makers hold a key stakeholder meeting to explore how local needs can be met.
Read the full report: You can view the report by clicking the button below.
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