Capriotti Teri, Scanlon Meghan
Teri Capriotti, DO, MSN, CRNP, is a Clinical Associate Professor, College of Nursing, Villanova University, Villanova, Pennsylvania. Meghan Scanlon, SN, is an Honor Student, College of Nursing, Villanova University, Villanova, Pennsylvania.
Home Healthc Now. 2018 Jul/Aug;36(4):216-224. doi: 10.1097/NHH.0000000000000669.
Home healthcare clinicians are in a unique position to assess patients for risk of osteoporosis and fragility fractures. They are also key members of the interdisciplinary care team in the recovery of patients with fragility fractures. Home healthcare clinicians care for an aging patient population with diverse conditions and multiple medications that can increase their risk of osteoporosis. Bone mineral density in addition to an evaluation of clinical risk factors are necessary to diagnose osteoporosis; DEXA and FRAX are the tools available. Undertreatment of osteoporosis is common among community dwelling elderly adults. Lack of patient adherence and insufficient physician prescription of medications are common. There are a wide array of osteoporosis medications and patients need education about their use. With the growing number of older adults in the population, increasing numbers will be vulnerable to osteoporosis and fragility fracture. Home healthcare clinicians need to be proactive to assess the aging population and assist in their treatment of this common disorder.
家庭医疗保健临床医生在评估患者骨质疏松症和脆性骨折风险方面具有独特地位。他们也是脆性骨折患者康复过程中跨学科护理团队的关键成员。家庭医疗保健临床医生照顾的老年患者群体情况多样，且服用多种可能增加骨质疏松症风险的药物。除了评估临床风险因素外，骨密度检查对于诊断骨质疏松症是必要的；双能X线吸收法（DEXA）和骨折风险评估工具（FRAX）是可用的检查手段。骨质疏松症治疗不足在社区居住的老年人中很常见。患者依从性差和医生药物处方不足的情况很普遍。有各种各样的骨质疏松症药物，患者需要接受关于这些药物使用的教育。随着人口中老年人数量的不断增加，越来越多的人将易患骨质疏松症和脆性骨折。家庭医疗保健临床医生需要积极主动地评估老年人群体，并协助他们治疗这种常见疾病。
