New Jersey Urology Offers Innovative Program for Early Detection and Treatment of Enlarged Prostate

New Care Pathway Program Uses Data Analytics to Improve Patient Outcomes

New Jersey Urology announced that their practice will now offer an innovative BPH Care Pathway program for the early detection and treatment of men with an enlarged prostate, also called Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH). New Jersey Urology is the first in New Jersey to participate in this unique approach that combines patient education with data analytics to determine the best treatment options for men who have or are at risk of developing BPH. New Jersey Urology is recognized as a leader in the Delaware Valley region, providing exemplary care for men suffering from problems associated with Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms (LUTS).

The BPH Care Pathway Program is designed to provide targeted care to men who are at risk for BPH, a condition that affects 50 percent of men over the age of 50. Through data analytics, the program identifies patients with characteristics associated with BPH to detect the early onset or worsening of symptoms. Care teams for New Jersey Urology are able to communicate with patients proactively to accelerate the assessment of treatment options. The program has the potential to reduce overall healthcare expenses as a result of treating patients before symptoms worsen or complications occur.

“The BPH Care Pathway empowers patients with more insights into their condition, producing better health outcomes. When a patient is made fully aware of all of their options, everyone benefits,” said Dr. Thomas Mueller. “We are excited about this approach, which will help men achieve a higher quality of life. We believe this will become the new standard of care used by many physicians.”

Nearly 40 million men in the United States are affected by BPH. Not to be confused with prostate cancer, BPH occurs when the prostate gland that surrounds the male urethra becomes enlarged with advancing age and begins to obstruct the urinary system. Symptoms of BPH often include interrupted sleep and urinary problems, loss of productivity, depression and decreased quality of life.

Medication is often the first-line therapy for enlarged prostate, but relief can be inadequate and temporary. Side effects of medication treatment can include sexual dysfunction, dizziness and headaches, prompting many patients to quit using the drugs. For these patients, the classic alternative is surgery that cuts, heats or removes prostate tissue to open the blocked urethra. While current surgical options can be very effective in relieving symptoms, they can also leave patients with permanent side effects such as urinary incontinence, erectile dysfunction, and retrograde ejaculation.

“Many men suffer from the negative side effects of BPH medications and their quality of life is significantly impacted,” said Dr. David Sussman. “We want to give those patients a better alternative and the BPH Care Pathway allows for us to have these conversations. There are treatments available to men that are truly minimally invasive and very effective. But, our goal prior to implementation is to hone in on a comprehensive care assessment, and then fully educate them about their options.”