Audit of a tertiary hospital fracture liaison service as part of the national fragility fracture network strengths and weakness (#108)
Background: The SCGOPHCG Fracture Liaison Service (FLS) is a nurse-led, coordinator-based, multidisciplinary secondary fracture prevention service. Operationally, it functions as a Model A FLS, systematically identifying, investigating and initiating treatment. Patients retain options of general practitioner management according to preference. Fracture identification is achieved through monthly screening of patients discharged from the Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital Emergency Department. Relevant ICD‑10 diagnostic codes are extracted from the Emergency Department Information System (EDIS) and filtered to identify fractures most likely to represent fragility fractures, as described. Data is captured in the Australian and New Zealand Fragility Fracture Registry (ANZFFR), with SCGOPHCG participation commencing in February 2025. Objectives: To evaluate key performance indicators (KPIs) of the SCGOPHCG FLS against the Clinical Standards for Australian Secondary Fracture Prevention Services. Methodology: A retrospective audit of data captured in ANZFFR from the SCGOPHCG site was conducted for the period 1 February 2025 to 1 February 2026. Results: During audit period, 1,447 fractures cases were identified through EDIS screening. 434 patients consented to participation and were included in the registry. The service identified 86% of non‑spine fragility fractures and 13% of spinal fractures. This compares favourably to the national performance in the same time frame. Fracture risk assessment within 12 weeks occurred in 85% of cases. However, 18% of patients received dual‑energy X‑ray absorptiometry (DXA) within 12 weeks. Osteoporosis‑specific treatment recommendations within 12 weeks were provided in 15%. 28% received 16-week follow‑up. Treatment adherence at 52 weeks was low 3%. However, interpretation is limited given service infancy. Discussion: The SCGOPHCG FLS meets KPI targets for non‑spine fragility fracture identification and timely fracture risk assessment. Key service limitations include low vertebral fracture detection rates, delays in DXA access, and suboptimal rates of treatment initiation and follow‑up. Other limitations include this being limited to one of three tertiary hospitals in WA. Conclusion: The SCGOPHCG FLS is a novel secondary fracture prevention service in Western Australia. While early outcomes demonstrate strengths in fracture identification and risk assessment, targeted improvements are required across other performance domains, specifically vertebral fracture capture. Audit provides a baseline for ongoing service development and quality improvement.
- 1. Inderjeeth CA, Raymond WD, Briggs AM, Geelhoed E, Oldham D, Mountain D. Implementation of the Western Australian Osteoporosis Model of Care: a fracture liaison service utilising emergency department information systems to identify patients with fragility fracture to improve current practice and reduce re-fracture rates: a 12-month analysis. Osteoporos Int. 2018 Aug;29(8):1759-1770. doi: 10.1007/s00198-018-4526-5. Epub 2018 Apr 27. PMID: 29704027.
- 2. https://www.sosfracturealliance.org.au/_files/ugd/ee3e8b_134aed40c4e042069c6209aa43dadaf2.pdf
ANZBMS 2026