Florida Hospital Zephyrhills Launches New Fracture Prevention Program

Florida Hospital Zephyrhills is one of three hospitals in Florida that has taken steps to ensure that its osteoporotic fracture patients receive the treatment and care they deserve through participation in The American Orthopaedic Associations Own the Bone quality improvement program. Seth Cooper, MD, Orthopedic Surgeon, will serve as the projects Physician Champion.

Own the Bone will give Florida Hospital Zephyrhills the tools to establish a secondary fracture prevention program with the goal of preventing future fractures in patients age 50 and older, according to Dr. Cooper. Patient care following a fracture will include educating patients about nutrition, physical activity, and lifestyle changes; recommending and initiating bone mineral density testing; and providing written communication to the patient and their family physician regarding the patients specific risk factors and treatment recommendations. When appropriate, pharmacotherapy and treatment will also be discussed.

In medical terms, a broken bone from a ground level fall for persons over the age of 50 may be an osteoporotic or fragility fracture. This is a very serious complication of osteoporosis and often the first sign that a person has the disease, said Dr. Cooper. Unfortunately, only 20 percent of those who experience fractures each year are tested for osteoporosis. By launching Own the Bone at Florida Hospital Zephyrhills, our primary goal is to provide patient education and follow up that will improve ones condition and help to prevent future fractures.

The announcement is timely because May is National Osteoporosis and Awareness Prevention Month. According to national statistics, one in two women and one in four men will break a bone in their lifetime due to osteoporosis. Additionally, only 20 percent of the nearly two million individuals who experience fragility fractures each year are tested or treated for osteoporosis. Those fractures translate to nearly $18 billion in costs annually. By 2025, experts predict the numbers will rise to nearly three million fractures and $25.3 billion in annual costs.

Florida Hospital Zephyrhills is the first hospital in the state to be awarded Advanced Certification for Total Hip and Total Knee Replacement by The Joint Commission. The health care organization was also named one of Americas Best Hospitals for orthopedics in 2017 and 2018 by the Womens Choice Award.

About Florida Hospital Zephyrhills

Florida Hospital Zephyrhills (FHZ) is an award winning 149-bed regional medical center located in East Pasco County. It is a proud member of the Adventist Health System, providing a legacy of health and healing for more than 150 years. FHZ has been named One of Americas Best Hospitals for 2018 in heart care; stroke; orthopedics; and patient safety by the Womens Choice Award. The hospital is also the first in Florida to receive The Joint Commissions Gold Seal of Approval for Advanced Certification for Total Hip and Total Knee Replacement. FHZ offers the only comprehensive cardiovascular program in East and Central Pasco County, including open heart surgery and valve repair. Equipped with eight technologically advanced surgical suites, the hospital provides a full range of inpatient and outpatient surgical services including, but not limited to general, orthopedic, endoscopic, gynecology, urology, cardiovascular and robotic procedures. The Womens Health Center at FHZ provides gynecology, urology, pelvic floor health, obstetrics and breast care through the Simpson Breast Health Center. And, the hospitals recently renovated ER delivers emergency medical care 24/7 with a fast track suite for minor emergencies. Other programs and services include a Wellness Center, Wellness Spa, Center for Wound Healing, Bone and Joint Center, Outpatient Rehabilitation and Diagnostic Imaging. To learn more visit FHZeph.org.