Member Cases
Diagnosis verification:
Mrs S was diagnosed with early stage breast cancer following routine mammography in Holland. She decided to get a diagnostic verification through top Harvard affiliated doctors in Boston, using PGH. Harvard specialists confirmed the presence of cancer cells and further outlined the steps she needed to take. PGH arranged careful analysis of the report with her. When discussing her updated situation with doctors in Holland, Mrs S was wrongly told by them that there were no longer cancer cells present. The DVTP meant that she understood her medical situation better and gave her the tools to be proactive in questioning her doctor about this misdiagnosis and getting it corrected.
Best Outcome:
Upon the diagnosis of early stage prostate cancer, Mr B looked to PGH to provide a diagnostic verification and treatment plan (DVTP). The diagnostic report was rendered by top Harvard affiliated specialists within the Boston area. Because of Mr B's membership with PGH, we were able to have his medical case examined by the Chief of Urology at a top ranking hospital in Boston. From the results of Mr B's diagnostic report, he decided his best option would be to come to Boston for treatment.
Mr B's concern about treatment included being worried that the operation would have side-effects, which would mean a less than complete recovery and diminished quality of life. In particular he was concerned about incontinence and impotence.
PGH's access to top surgeons and hospitals meant that Mr B was operated on using the nerve-sparing technique, a modified form of radical retro pubic prostatectomy. Potency rates following this nerve-sparing surgery vary widely amongst surgeons and academic centres. In the hands of a highly skilled surgeon, performing the technique in a centre with extensive experience in the procedure, potency rates are much higher than the rates seen in community practice. This is the case with Dr Ritchie, who operated on Mr B. Mr B's surgery was a success. His doctor was able to remove all cancerous cells detected, giving Mr B hope for a healthy future and with none of the adverse effects he had feared.
Mr B's case is only one example of the true value of PGH services. PGH ensures that the patient has access to best practice and thus delivers the best possible outcome for each individual
Best Local Outcome:
Patient Mr. R was diagnosed with a rare brain tumor called glioblastoma in Norway, with a 4 to 6 month timeframe to live. There is only 1 to 2 cases of this kind of tumor reported in Norway annually. Therefore, because of the lack of knowledge and experience with this specific cancer, the patient was told by his local physician to stop chemotherapy treatment and enjoy his last few months of his life. However, Mr. R did not accept this prognosis and looked toward Preferred Global Health (PGH) for alternate options.
Upon the mobilization of PGH Care Management Services, a Diagnostic Verification and Treatment Plan (DVTP) was put into place. This patient's case was put into the hands of a Harvard affiliated specialist who had experience with such brain tumors, seeing approximately 300 such cases per year. Through his expertise, a treatment plan was formulated and implemented through communication with this patient's local physician in Norway.
The implemented treatment plan was a success. Mr. R is alive and well 5 years following his initial terminal diagnosis. This patient was able to utilize PGH services to add the experience of a global center of excellence to his local treatment team. Without leaving Norway, his treatment of a very rare disease was a success. Through the PGH services, Mr. R achieved the support of the global best.
Dr George Stang, Mr R's GP commented "PGH's persistent search for the best expertise and proactive follow-up enabled us to successfully treat a patient with a rare critical condition. Locally, the patient was considered a lost cause".
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