BMC, Berkshire Orthopaedic Recognized For Fragility Fracture Patient Care

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PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Berkshire Health Systems' community teaching hospital, Berkshire Medical Center (BMC), in partnership with BHS's affiliate provider clinic at Berkshire Orthopaedic Associates (BOA), announced their ninth straight year of recognition as an Own the Bone Star Performer, a designation granted by the American Orthopaedic Association reserved for institutions that perform the highest level of fragility fracture and bone health care.  
 
BMC joins over 300 health care institutions nationwide that have participated in Own the Bone and its national web-based quality improvement registry, which provides BMC with the tools to support and treat fragility fracture patients. 
 
Through participation in Own the Bone and recognition as an Own the Bone Star Performer, BMC has demonstrated a commitment to helping patients understand their risk for future fractures and the steps they can take to prevent them. Own the Bone Star Performers like BMC must achieve a 75 percent compliance rate with at least 5 of the 10 Own the Bone prevention measures including: educating patients on the importance of calcium and vitamin D, physical activity, fall prevention, limiting alcohol intake, and smoking cessation; recommending and initiating bone mineral density testing; discussing pharmacotherapy and treatment (when applicable); and providing written communication to the patient and their physician regarding specific risk factors and treatment recommendations.  
 
BMC met 10 of 10 measures during the period of July 1, 2023 to June 30, 2024 and screened 177 patients. 
 
"Berkshire Orthopaedic Associates and BMC are proud to partner in this national effort to aid our patients who suffer from osteoporosis-related fractures," said Anthony DeFelice, DO, the surgeon who leads the program for the Berkshire practice. "This is a group effort, and all members of our care team are focused on helping our patients take advantage of our support services so they can get back to their active lifestyles." 
 
Although more than 53 million Americans already have osteoporosis or are at high risk due to low bone mass, most will go undiagnosed and untreated. Due to an aging population, the number of Americans with osteoporosis or low bone density is expected to increase significantly.  

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Hinsdale OKs Police Department Audit After Fatal Shooting

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

HINSDALE, Mass. — The town has approved $25,000 for an administrative review of the police department, more than two months after police fatally shot 27-year-old Biagio Kauvil during a mental health crisis. 

Town Administrator Robert Graves said the shooting on Jan. 7 is not the only focus of the audit, and it will be several months before the Select Board receives a final report. 

During a special town meeting on March 11, an article appropriating $25,000 from free cash for an independent consultant to conduct a professional evaluation and audit of the Town's Police Department was approved. The audit includes a review of the department's policies, protocols, operations, and procedures, and concludes with a written report. 

"The Berkshire County District Attorney's Office and Massachusetts State Police are investigating the shooting, and we await their conclusions.  As we look to move forward, the International Association of Chiefs of Police, our insurance company (MIIA/Cabot Risk), and our legal counsel have recommended that the town hire an independent law enforcement consultant or firm to conduct a comprehensive administrative review of our police operation," Graves wrote in an email to iBerkshires on Friday. 

"This event is not their focus; they will assess the overall operation. We want a written assessment of our police operation's strengths and weaknesses to help Hinsdale make future changes and improvements." 

He said after completing the procurement process and signing a contract with a reputable consultant or business, it will most likely be several months before the Select Board receives the final report. 

"Still, it will help the town and police department move forward," Graves wrote. 

Last weekend, family and friends of Kauvil stood in Park Square asking for justice. A flier for the standout reads "Biagio was killed by police while experiencing a mental health crisis. Now, over seven weeks later, authorities have not yet provided any updates.

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