CF is a chronic, progressive, life-shortening disease, with multiple organ system involvement, and requires a coordinated multidisciplinary approach to provide comprehensive care in order to improve outcomes. Due to the chronic nature of the disease, there is a tremendous psychosocial and financial burden to the individual, family and society. Numerous studies show that patients who receive care in an accredited CF center have better outcomes. Our staff is abreast of all current recommendations set forth by the CF Foundation, and we update our management protocols to comply with these recommendations. Our patient- and family-centered focus also guides all efforts to provide individual and family support services as needed. Our Family Advisory Council is made up of family members from both the pediatric and adult programs and is a vital part of the center.
Our goal as a center is to continue to provide excellent, state-of-the-art, comprehensive care to all patients, so that no patient with cystic fibrosis will have to leave the state to receive appropriate care. With an emphasis on prevention and treatment of complications, the team focuses on treating both the patient and their family throughout the patient’s lifespan, into adulthood.
Physicians
Nurse practitioners
Clinic nurse coordinators
Registered nurses
Respiratory therapists
Nutritionists
Social worker
Our team of specialists also includes gastroenterologists, endocrinologists and infectious disease specialists. Additional expertise from interventional radiologists, physical therapists and pharmacologists is available if needed.
Services include:
Consultation with patients who have a positive newborn screen
Comprehensive ambulatory and inpatient care
Evaluation
Testing
Clinical management
Nutritional education and management
Counseling, case management and advocacy
Lifelong follow-up care
Comprehensive education programs for families, community providers and other health care professionals on the care of CF patients
Services are provided both to the CF patient and his/her family as needed.
Outpatient Services Provided in Cooperation with BMSCH and RWJUH include:
Sweat testing
Pulmonary function testing
Diagnostic imaging, including MRI, ultrasound and CT
Bone density scans
Oral glucose tolerance testing
Sputum culture
At approximately 21 years, patients transition to the Cystic Fibrosis Center Adult Program, where they can expect the same quality care and compassion to which they have grown accustomed.
Inpatient care for pediatric and adolescent patients is provided at BMSCH at RWJUH; for adult patients, at RWJUH. Faculty and staff in the CF program follow patients for both outpatient and inpatient care. Center physicians provide 24-hour, seven-days-per-week care.
