As the largest adult cystic fibrosis center in South Florida, the University of Miami Cystic Fibrosis Center helps adults with this lifelong disease live life to the fullest. The improved treatment options and better diagnostic testing for adults with unusual expressions of cystic fibrosis (CF) have steadily increased the number of adults who need specialized care for this disease.
Our multidisciplinary team of specialists partners with our patients to provide ongoing treatment to control their symptoms, treat complications, and slow disease progression. As part of the Cystic Fibrosis Therapeutics Development Network (TDN), we have ongoing clinical trials evaluating new CF therapies' safety and effectiveness.
If you are sick:
During business hours Monday - Friday call the pulmonary office at 305-243-6388, ext 3.
Afterhours and weekends call the pulmonary pager: 305-277-4297
For emergencies, call 9-1-1 or go to your closest Emergency Room
A social worker plays a crucial role on the cystic fibrosis care team, providing essential support and services to individuals and families affected by CF.
A dietician plays an essential role in the cystic fibrosis care team by providing nutritional support and guidance to individuals with CF. Assesses the nutritional status of individuals with CF by evaluating their dietary intake, growth patterns, body composition, and overall nutritional health.
A respiratory therapist plays an important role on the cystic fibrosis care team. They are specialized healthcare professionals who focus on the evaluation (pulmonary function tests) treatment (airway clearance, nebulized treatments, oxygen, and equipment), and education and support.
A pharmacist is essential to the CF care team. Helps review all medications, how they are taken, and making sure they do not interact with each other. Helps ordering and dosing medications, and is the essential connection between the team and the different pharmacies.
Nurse Practitioner is a cystic fibrosis (CF) provider that can see and manage CF patients. Nurse Practitioner will call patients when they are sick and coordinate IV antibiotics when they are sick.
Is the centerpiece of the CF program keeping all team members on track, helping coordinate with other CF care team members, answering questions, and getting patients started when coming for a full day of appointments at your CF care center.
A mental health counselor plays a vital role on a cystic fibrosis care team by providing support and assistance to individuals and families affected by CF. Here are some of the key responsibilities and contributions of a mental health counselor on a CF care team.
An administrative assistant is key to schedule your appointments. This is the person who will answer when the patient calls and triage the request to the rest of the team. They also helps with prior authorizations and appeals.
Contact the team
Ask the team for an updated contact information sheet during your visit.
For new patients
Fax your records to our office before your appointment. Fax: (305) 243-6372
What To Expect at your CF Clinic Visit
You will see all of your CF team members
Your comprehensive visit will last approximately 2 hours
A sputum culture will be collected
Spirometry will be completed
Your prescriptions will be reviewed
Depending on the last time you had baseline blood work, you may be asked to complete these either at the hospital or at a Quest or LabCorp lab
Oral Glucose Tolerance Test, when needed
Six Minute Walk/Arterial Blood Gas (ABG) Test may be requested by your doctor
You will be advised when you should return to clinic for routine follow up.
We recommend you sign up for MyUHealth so that we can reach you via email and release diagnostic tests after they have been reviewed by the attending physician. Please ask at front desk for instructions.
The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation requires patients to be seen every 3 months in clinic.
When on IV, patients need to come more frequently, either weekly or biweekly based on severity.
We offer periodic telehealth visits for certain patients.
The Patient Access Coordinator will check you in and let the nursing staff know you have arrived in clinic.
The Medical Assistant will call you and check vital signs.
The Respiratory Therapist will see you first to perform spirometry. Spirometry is used to measure lung function, and will be interpreted by the doctor during your clinic visit.
The Nurse will welcome you to our center and review your previous records and tests, and orient you to the Adult Cystic Fibrosis Team members. She will ask you what you would like to ensure is addressed with the team during your visit by completing a form.
The Pulmonary Fellow/Nurse Practitioner will take a detailed medical history, and perform a physical examination, collaborate with the Attending Physician and then will return to your room to discuss and then implement the plan of care.
The Dietician will assess your nutrition needs and meal planning.
The Social Worker will assess your needs based on your current social supports and resources.
Our Attending Physician will oversee the plan of care through collaboration with the Cystic Fibrosis team members.
Research Coordinators will be available to discuss current research projects and inquiry on your availability to participate.
(Look for the Emergency Room sign – the entrance is next to it.)
Directions:
When you arrive, you will enter and check in the front desk on the right. Once you check in downstairs you will see elevators on the left. Take the elevators and go to the second floor.
Once you get off the 2nd floor you will make a left when you get off the elevators and go to suite 204 (the 2nd door to your right). You will see another front desk where you will do another check-in.
Parking:
There is a garage to the right of the building where you can self-park or option for valet. Please take a parking ticket with you for validation.
For more information, please go to UHealth parking.
Admissions
CF Patients are admitted to UHealth Tower (1400 NW 12th Ave, Miami, FL, 33136) under the direct care of the Pulmonary / Cystic Fibrosis team. Patients are admitted through the ER, we do not do direct admissions.
Pregnant, pre- and post-transplant CF patients are admitted to Jackson Memorial Hospital (1500 NW 12th Ave, Miami, FL, 33136) under the obstetrics or lung transplant team. The Cystic Fibrosis team will coordinate care with them.
Transplant
Transplants are done at the Miami Transplant Institute (MTI), a joint program between the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine and Jackson Memorial Hospital.
The cystic fibrosis care team members collaborate with the MTI Transplant Team at Jackson Memorial Hospital to provide cystic fibrosis care during the transplant journey.
We also refer and work with other transplant centers.
Helpful Cystic Fibrosis Resources
Discover a range of helpful resources for understanding Cystic Fibrosis.
Questions? We're here to help.
Our appointment specialists are ready to help you find what you need. Contact us today.
