People who receive care at our nationally recognized Cystic Fibrosis Center benefit from access to cutting edge research and development, clinical trials and a multidisciplinary health care team that is dedicated solely to caring for CF patients.

Best Practices in CF Care:
Our Center is proud to have been selected by the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation to participate in their prestigious Learning and Leadership Collaborative-V.  The purpose of the collaborative is to identify best practices in cystic fibrosis care throughout the United States and to adapt and implement those practices at every Center.  Our participation in the Collaborative involves assessing how we are caring for CF patients, identifying areas that could be improved, implementing changes to make improvements, and studying the effects of those changes. 

Best Practice CF Treatment Recommendation

• Quarterly Office Visits: Each patient should be seen in our office for a comprehensive medical evaluation at least four times a year.  This thorough examination includes a pulmonary function study, review of medications, airway clearance techniques, and exercise modalities as well as nutrition and social work assessments. 
  
• Annual Monitoring of Laboratory Results and Other Studies: Annually, we conduct laboratory testing of blood and sputum, obtain a chest x-ray, and conduct a full pulmonary function analysis to monitor patients' long term progress.
  
• Yearly IV-Antibiotic ‘Tune Ups': Research is demonstrating that an annual, scheduled two-week course of intravenous antibiotics is a key component of maintaining overall good health and longevity for CF patients. We are in the process of implementing this treatment guideline with our patients.
  
• Daily Adherence to Airway Clearance:Airway clearance remains the most significant aspect of care. Our chest physical therapy (CPT) program is among the most highly regarded in the country.  Patients, parents, family members, and other caregivers become proficient in the CPT techniques as taught by our talented physical therapy team. 
  
  There are many new advances in airway clearance. Our staff keeps informed on the latest equipment and techniques. Special attention and time is devoted to reviewing each patient's airway clearance routine and providing information and training regarding the use of new devices.  All of this is done with the goal of helping patients incorporate a manageable airway clearance routine into their everyday lives.
  
• Maintaining Proper Nutrition: Good nutrition is an essential component of CF care. People with cystic fibrosis often need to make modifications in their diet to improve caloric intake while maintaining a good balance of nutrition.  Consultations with our nutritionist and gastroenterologist enable patients to maintain their weight in a way that is compatible with their dietary and lifestyle needs.
  
• Participating in An Exercise & Wellness Program:  Exercise is an integral part of CF Care. Our innovative Exercise and Wellness Center program helps patients to develop a highly personalized workout regimen they can maintain as part of their overall CF care and continue on their own indefinitely.
  
  Our six-week intensive program starts with a comprehensive evaluation which takes into account patients' exercise capacity, thoracic (chest) mobility, and airway clearance practices.  Based on these results, an individually tailored exercise & wellness plan is designed. Each patient's routine incorporates the best of traditional treatments for CF along with innovative complementary therapies.  The program may include aerobic activities, like treadmill walking, bicycling and stair/step climbing, to build endurance and stamina as well as muscle strengthening activities like arm and leg weight lifting.  Patients are also offered a variety of conditioning exercises and "mind-body" therapies such as yoga, therapeutic massage, and meditation.
  
  Once patients complete the program, we continue to monitor their progress during outpatient office visits and periodic meetings with the exercise program staff.  This refreshing approach to symptom management serves as a motivator to many of our patients resulting in a marked improvement in compliance among our adolescent and adult patients.
  
• Accessing Cutting Edge Research:  Our center participates in many groundbreaking clinical trials for new CF treatments.  We are the recipients of significant research grants that allow us to offer experimental therapies to our patients who may meet eligibility guidelines. In consultation with the full CF Center team, our patients are encouraged to consider participation in applicable research studies as their health status and lifestyle allows.
  
• Receiving Supportive Psychosocial Care: Our cystic fibrosis center is one of only a handful in the country that has a full-time social worker on staff.  Cystic Fibrosis can be a complicated disease to manage both logistically, in terms of handling insurance claims and negotiating benefit options, and emotionally in terms of the day-to-day rigors of living with a chronic illness. 
  
  Our social worker provides assistance and guidance with insurance issues as well as state and federal assistance programs.  Help is also available throughout the patient and family lifespan with psychosocial issues. These considerations may include educating school teachers about the needs of children with CF, helping parents and teens negotiate the college consideration process and access applicable CF scholarships, discussing a variety of adult quality-of-life choices including career, family planning and parenting options - and much more!
  
• Obtaining Genetic Counseling:  Cystic fibrosis is a condition that impacts not only the person with the diagnosis, but the whole family. Genetic counseling is available to all family members to answer questions about how cystic fibrosis is inherited and to discuss what testing may be available to them. As decisions regarding genetic testing are highly individual, our genetic counselors provide non-directive information and support in keeping with the patient or family member's beliefs and values.