Paoli Hospital Offers Boniva Injection as Alternative Osteoporosis Treatment

Wednesday, April 01, 2009

(Paoli, Pa.)—The Medical Short Procedure Unit (MSPU) at Paoli Hospital now offers Boniva Injection, a routine injection that helps protect osteoporosis sufferers from broken bones.

“Boniva Injection is an FDA-approved medication for the treatment of postmenopausal osteoporosis by slowing bone loss and increasing bone mass,” said Elizabeth Kennedy, RN, Manager, MSPU. “The process of receiving the injection is similar to having blood drawn for a lab test.”

The injections are given by a healthcare professional once every three months through a 15 to 30 second intravenous (IV) injection. The injection is an alternative for patients who can’t take the Boniva oral tablet because it requires such things as fasting or sitting upright for 30 to 60 minutes following treatment. Additionally, because Boniva IV will be administered by healthcare professionals, clinicians will have a greater awareness of patient compliance with therapy.

Millions of Americans over 50 years of age are affected by or at risk for osteoporosis, a disease that causes bones to become weak and more likely to break. The disease is much more common in women than in men because women have less bone mass than men, tend to live longer and take in less calcium, and need the female hormone estrogen to keep their bones strong.

A Dexa-scan is a test used to determine if a patient's bones have become or are becoming weak. If osteoporosis is diagnosed, additional tests, such as those to evaluate kidney function and calcium or vitamin D levels, may be needed to determine the cause and appropriate treatment.

Boniva Injection is offered by prescription only since certain health conditions may prevent it from being recommended. Paoli Hospital’s MSPU provides a relaxed and comfortable setting for patients to receive Boniva IV, and other treatments, in an outpatient setting. Trained clinicians administer and supervise treatment at all times and flexible scheduling coordinated by the patient’s referring physician is available.

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About Paoli Hospital
255 W. Lancaster Avenue
Paoli, PA 19301
484-565-1000
www.mainlinehealth.org
Paoli Hospital is a non-profit acute care hospital with a 157-bed licensed capacity and a member of Main Line Health. Recognized as a Thomson 100 Top Hospital three years in a row and a “Best Place to Work,” Paoli offers a wide range of services including cardiothoracic surgery, electrophysiology, advanced cardiac catheterization, cardiac rehab, pulmonary rehab, interventional radiology, a Family Centered Maternity Unit with neonatal intensive care, and a Total Joint Replacement Program. Specialty services include a Breast Health Center, a Cancer Center which is a Fox Chase Cancer Center Partner, a Wound Healing Center with hyperbaric oxygen therapy, Sleep Medicine and Neurodiagnostic Center, a permanent lithotripsy unit, and a Perinatal Testing Center. The hospital’s outpatient facilities in Exton and Collegeville offer patients access to Paoli’s physicians and services close to home. In spring 2007, Paoli Hospital broke ground on a new four-story Patient Care Pavilion that will house an emergency department; 14-operating room surgical suite; 126 private patient rooms; and a contemporary arrival/lobby area connected to the hospital’s 737-space parking garage. The new building, to feature evidence-based design concepts to improve the patient experience, is scheduled to open in summer 2009.

Contact
Michele Stefan
610-574-8878
stefanm@mlhs.org

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