Lynxcare offers a valuable addition to the health care of people with complex conditions as evidenced in the following nurse- and physician-documented examples:
           

9 year-old male:
            Diagnosis/Concern: Fibrous Dysplasia at neck of femur; family wanted non-surgical options researched; invasive surgery was recommended by orthopedic surgeon which was to include 6” incision, insertion of rods and pins into the femur, five day hospital stay, 3 months on crutches, 6 months recovery time, surgery revision every 2 years during growing years to replace rods.
            Lynx Advocacy/Intervention: Non-surgical options were found unverifiable; second opinions were obtained from Lynx-recommended specialists who presented the case to the National Limb Preservation Group within one week; alternative surgical procedure was recommended.
            Outcome: Outpatient procedure was performed by orthopedic surgeon suggested by Lynx - minimally invasive, outpatient surgery was performed with bone graft substitute and without pins, rods or repeated procedures; minimal recovery time; 90% of the bone had grown back by 3 weeks post op and light activities resumed; full activities resumed within 2 additional weeks; no further treatments necessary.

8 year-old female:
            Diagnosis/Concern: Tetralogy of Fallot; infantile-onset idiopathic Scoliosis; pulmonary insufficiency; ventilator. tracheostomy; caregiver stress; customized rehab equipment was stalled in process of fabrication; family lived in remote location.
            Lynx Advocacy/Intervention: Identified obstacles to completion and delivery of customized traction walker through communication with orthopedic clinic; facilitated delivery of rehabilitation device which allowed child to move about while in halo traction, minimizing further pulmonary impact; obtained missing medical records; coordinated and compiled extensive medical records into Health Summary and case file; created cross-referenced summaries to facilitate 2nd and 3rd opinions; counseled in advance of physician visits; extensive medical research into treatment, procedures, options and ancillary services; collaborated with parent caregiver to maintain focused goals.
            Outcome: State-of-the-art and above-regional standard level care was obtained for the child; her prognosis significantly improved and she experienced greater post-operative recovery with a level of activity previously impossible; Lynx Health Summary provided greatly enhanced ongoing physician consults; Titanium Rib Project evaluation and approval decision was facilitated by the Health Summary and communication with the Lynx Nurse Consultant; Rib implant procedure continues to improve the child’s previous life-threatening conditions of pulmonary insufficiency and curvature progression - revisions planned for twice annually until skeletal maturity; child currently experiences good respiratory and cardiac health and full activities; trach to be removed in Spring, 2007.

32 year-old female:
            Diagnosis/Concern: Syringomyelia (syrinx in spinal cord), unknown etiology; numbness, pain, vertigo, twitching, positional symptoms; unfulfilling relationships with some care providers; inadequate sleep requiring medication due to nighttime symptoms.
            Lynx Advocacy/Intervention: Medical records abstracted into Health Summary and organized into manageable records file; options presented for other neurologist who could follow Participant’s case in a more compatible relationship; relevant research provided; options presented of additional tests to further determine cause of syrinx; consultation regarding essential questions to be asked at various appointments; preliminary consultation obtained from internationally recognized treatment center; options presented for management of pain and stress symptoms.
            Outcome: Participant reports 90% relief of symptoms; cessation of all meds; prescription acquired to have additional tests run to determine origin of syrinx; therapies for pain, symptom and stress reduction were successful and are ongoing.

12 year-old female:
            Diagnosis/Concern: Neurofibromatosis Type II with brain, spine and hand tumors; discouragement with medical system and treating practitioners; requested national search for surgeons; language barrier.
            Lynx Advocacy/Intervention: Medical records obtained and abstracted to facilitate multiple considerations by pediatric neurosurgeons; consultation with internationally recognized neurosurgical expert to determine list of surgeons to consider; developed extensive question list for family to use in interviewing potential neurosurgeons; telephone contact made with short-listed surgeons; non-invasive stereo-tactic radiosurgery options identified which had previously been unknown options.
            Outcome: Family was able to make fully informed treatment choices.

11- year-old female:
            Diagnosis/Concern: Severe adolescent scoliosis; undetermined metabolic/neuromuscular condition; stalled treatment
            Lynx Advocacy/Intervention: Medical records obtained from multiple states and numerous previous providers and abstracted into Health Summary to facilitate frequent ongoing appointments and additional opinions; extensive communication with family to determine relevant questions for upcoming complicated appointments; phone consultations with multiple treating physicians and nationally-recognized specialists to determine best evidence-based treatment options, diagnostics needed and prognosis; facilitated enrollment in a diagnosis and treatment plan at two cooperating medical centers identified by a national search; arranged free cross-country travel for the family the medical center
            Outcome: Family was able to move forward with diagnosis and treatment for their daughter; halo with traction was applied to straighten the spine prior to fusion/implantation procedures; evaluation of her comprehensive medical condition is currently ongoing,

65 year-old male:
            Diagnosis/Concern: Undiagnosed Bone Infection; 7-year course of unsuccessful interactions with medical practitioners.
            Lynx Advocacy/Intervention: Abstraction of lengthy medical history into Health Summary; communication to facilitate best understanding of procedures and medical processes; communication established with nationally recognized specialists to determine appropriate protocol for delicate biopsy procedure and; arranged for nationally renowned team of experts to take on the case in a patient/physician relationship
            Outcome: Biopsy results show undefined infection; Participant received the best possible treatment and attention for his condition.

18 month-old male:
            Diagnosis/Concern: Chiari I malformation; lack of neurosurgical knowledge regarding diagnosis and treatment due to rural location.
            Lynx Advocacy/Intervention: Health Summary created to facilitate ongoing parent understanding and practitioner care; options for neurosurgeons identified nationally with evidence-based neurosurgical review questions; surgical and post-surgical questions developed to facilitate neurosurgical consult and decision-making; post-surgical symptoms addressed by Lynx with an observation tool designed to report specific signs and symptoms.
            Outcome: Successful brain surgery by nationally recognized pediatric neurosurgeon; post-surgical fears addressed and relieved through providing communication and information.