An estimated 10 million people in the United States are living with osteoporosis. Although osteoporosis is responsible for most hip fractures and accounts for more than $18 billion in health care expenditures annually, on average only 20 percent of patients are ever screened or treated for the disease.

The Joint Commission (formerly the Joint Commission on the Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations) has developed a monograph containing 10 voluntary measures of care, designed for a variety of healthcare settings and issued jointly with the National Pharmaceutical Council. Improving and Measuring Osteoporosis Management is intended for a professional audience and contains clinical information and practical tips for implementing an osteoporosis improvement initiative, whether clinical care is given in a hospital, emergency department, rehabilitation facility, home health agency, or doctor’s office.

To request a complimentary copy of the monograph, or to download a PDF version of the document, go to www.jointcommission.org and follow the relevant links.