Aim: To increase the awareness of the new LTC osteoporosis guidelines, improve appropriate osteoporosis prescribing, and document LTC residents who are at high risk for fracture, and those who fall & fracture.
Overview: GOAL is a knowledge translation initiative targeted at inter-professional teams in 50 LTC homes across the province. This collaborative quality improvement program delivered by McMaster University and Medical Pharmacy Group Limited.
Intervention Components (6 month):
- 2 Interactive sessions with Interprofessional team members at the LTC homes
- 2 video presentations delivered by GOAL experts regarding the management of osteoporosis
- Novel electronic pharmacists risk assessment tool that identified high risk residents and provided management recommendations
- Prescribing feedback reports
- Action planning for quality improvement
Results: GOAL results were presented at the International Osteoporosis Foundation meeting in Milan, Italy and suggested that a prior diagnosis of osteoporosis, prior clinical vertebral fractures, and current glucocorticoid use are factors that trigger the use of osteoporosis medications in high risk residents.
Components of Success: Through educational sessions, participants have learned key components of the fracture prevention guidelines including the recognition of high risk residents; and the use of calcium/vitamin D, hip protectors, and pharmacological therapies.
View the latest Long-Term Care recommendations.
Primary Investigators
- Dr. Alexandra Papaioannou
- Dr. George Ioannidis
- Dr. Courtney Kennedy
- Dr. C. O’donnell