Arkansas Children’s Hospital is the only Pediatric Cystic Fibrosis center in the state accredited by the national Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. We provide high-quality, specialized care to patients from comprehensive diagnosis to ongoing treatment.
Our Team is Comprised of:
- Physician Faculty
- Advanced Practice Providers
- Nurses
- Respiratory Therapists
- Dietitians
- Social Workers
- Psychology/Mental Health Coordinator
- Pharmacists
- Genetic Counselors
- Child Life Specialists
- Pastoral Care
Our Center provides collaborative multi-specialty care with pediatric gastroenterology, hepatology, endocrinology, otolaryngology, infectious disease, and palliative care based on individual patient needs. Multi-specialty CF care clinics allow patients to see both a pediatric pulmonologist and another specialist, such as gastroenterology, on the same day. These clinics facilitate communication and shared decision making between CF specialists in partnership with patients and families.
Research and quality improvement initiatives are integral to our CF Center’s mission to advance CF care. Our CF Center is a member of Therapeutics Development Network and participates in national regional research collaboratives. We participate in national quality improvement collaboratives. Our CF Center has received multiple Quality Care Awards.
We provide patient-centered care and facilitate co-production of care with patients and families. We have a dedicated CF family advisory board facilitated by the CF social worker, and members are active participants in our CF Center’s quality improvement work.
Newborn screening for CF started in our state in July 2008 using IRT/DNA process. Our CF Center is the only accredited sweat testing site in Arkansas. Our team works directly with the Arkansas Department of Health laboratory to optimize the newborn screening process for CF and arrange follow up testing and/or evaluation for infants with a positive newborn screen for CF.