MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – Thanks to a multi-disciplinary team approach to patient care, the WVU Mountain State Cystic Fibrosis Center is among the top 10 centers of its kind in the country.
The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation’s Care Center Network includes 165 centers throughout the United States. Information from the network’s most recent report shows the Mountain State Cystic Fibrosis Center ranks among the nation’s top 10, based on 2012 pediatric pulmonary and nutrition data.
“This is the result of dedication by the entire cystic fibrosis (CF) team, through team management, over nine years of quality improvement work, and attention to excellence in patient care,” Kathryn Moffett, M.D., director of the Mountain State Cystic Fibrosis Center and professor in the WVU Department of Pediatrics, said. “I am proud of the continued dedication and support of the Department of Pediatrics, West Virginia University, and WVU Healthcare to make this possible.”
Dr. Moffett added that two of the most important factors are lung function for 6- to 17-year-olds as well as the nutritional status in children, which is measured by median body mass index for 2- to 19-year-olds and median weight for children less than 24 months of age.
“Looking at the trends over the last 10 years, our data in these areas have steadily improved,” Moffett said. “We focus on lung function, nutrition, and overall health. The healthier the babies and children are, the better they grow and the better their lungs function.”
The WVU Mountain State Cystic Fibrosis Center has more than 25 years of experience caring for children with this disease, combining research with a team approach that results in the highest lung function for West Virginia children with CF.
“Because cystic fibrosis often affects many of the body’s organs and functions, and related complications can vary by age, our cystic fibrosis experts, other medical specialists, program nurse coordinator, dietitians, respiratory therapists, and families work together as a team,” Moffett explained. “This multi-specialty team approach ensures each patient receives the most comprehensive care.”
The Mountain State Cystic Fibrosis Center diagnoses and begins appropriate treatment as early as possible to prevent or reduce the progress of the disease. A comprehensive newborn screening program evaluates infants who test positive for CF and offers therapeutic treatment for infants who are diagnosed with the disease.
“We place an emphasis on a preventive approach to some of the complications of CF, particularly in relation to how the disease affects the lungs,” Moffett said. “Our center includes pediatric and adult infectious disease and pulmonary specialists as primary caregivers as well as pediatric and adult subspecialty consultants.”
