Patricia Seuffert, M.S., ANP-BC of Red Bank, NJ Wins Professional Award Highlighting Top Tier Osteoporosis Treatment

(New Jersey – May 2012) – Somerset-based University Orthopaedic Associates’ (UOA) Patricia Seuffert, M.S., ANP-BC of Red Bank, NJ was recently recognized for her professional contributions in improving the health of people with or at risk of osteoporosis in New Jersey. Coinciding with May’s Osteoporosis Awareness and Prevention Month, NJ’s Health and Senior Services along with NJ Interagency Council on Osteoporosis present annual NJ Osteoporosis Prevention Awards to dedicated volunteers and professionals.

Seuffert won the 2012 Professional Award for being a dedicated advocate for osteoporosis by helping spearhead the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations pilot initiative to improve hip fracture management with the hospitalized patient and being among two nurse practitioners chosen to present research completed on osteoporosis at the National Osteoporosis Foundation meeting April 2012. Seuffert serves as UOA’s Research Coordinator and manages all its clinical research operations.

In addition to the special designation, UOA is also cutting edge in osteoporosis and bone treatment. They were recently named an accredited facility for the provision of Dual-energy Absorptiometry skeletal assessment services by The International Society for Clinical Densitometry (ISCA). UOA is the first facility in New Jersey to receive accreditation, with only eight accredited facilities in the United States.

According to the ISCA standards, “As an ISCD Accredited facility, they have demonstrated its satisfactory completion of overall competence in dual energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) skeletal assessment.” The essential elements established for acceptability standards include the following areas: DXA personnel, DXA equipment quality assurance and quality control, scan acquisition and analysis and scan interpretation and reporting. A central DXA is a method to measure bone density. Experts agree that the DXA scan is the preferred testing method to diagnose osteoporosis.

Osteoporosis (known as the “Silent Disease”) is a condition in which bones become thin, brittle and break easily. In New Jersey alone, approximately 1.5 million residents either have or are at high risk for developing osteoporosis. Osteoporosis can be prevented through healthy behaviors including a balanced diet rich in calcium and vitamin D, weight-bearing exercise, no smoking and limited alcohol consumption, and when needed, bone density testing and medications.

About University Orthopaedic Associates

UOA, New Jersey’s leading orthopaedic practice, is dedicated to providing the most current, highest quality, personalized healthcare services available. The group is committed to the pursuit of excellence in orthopaedic treatment, medical education and training, clinical and bench research, and the promotion of community health. Established more than four decades ago, UOA has grown to be a leader in comprehensive orthopaedic care. The highly respected practice has three locations in New Jersey— Somerset, Princeton and Wall.

 

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