Reply to letter to the editor regarding the article “Anti-osteoporotic treatment after hip fracture remains alarmingly low” [1]

A study similar to ours was performed at Copenhagen University Hospital - North Zealand (NOH). There,  30% of patients with a hip fracture received antiosteoporotic medication at follow-up after 6-18 months compared with 16.7% in our study from Copenhagen University Hospital - Herlev. In any case, both percentages are far too low. Consequently, an “Acute Fall Package” has been introduced at the NOH to screen patients referred to the hospital with falls, except when caused by apoplexia or cardiac arrythmias. These patients receive an immediate and thorough examination including a bone density scan, evaluation for ortostatic hypotention with an active stand test, continuous heart rate measurement, blood pressure measurements and screening for sarcopenia. All examinations are completed in about 40 minutes. The authors acknowledge that the “Acute Fall Package” cannot replace a full examination at a dedicated falls clinic, but if combined with blood test screening and a thorough review of the patient’s medicine, the “Acute Fall Package” is an excellent initiative, which will surely prevent several falls and hip fractures in the future.