​JULY 2009: The standards of care for over 3000 Australians living with the nation’s most common life-threatening genetic disorder, cystic fibrosis (CF), have recently been addressed in Australia.

Guidelines for the care of Queensland’s 740 CF patients will soon be revealed at the Queensland launch of the Cystic Fibrosis Standards of Care, Australia on Friday 31 July 2009.

Launched by Cystic Fibrosis Queensland and the Health Quality and Complaints Commission (HQCC) the initiative offers evidence-based practice guidelines for care for children and adults with cystic fibrosis in Australia.

Cystic Fibrosis Queensland (CFQ) CEO Jane Andersen said the objective is to formalise the current standards of practice by creating a benchmark for the requirements and delivery of CF care.

“Whilst the current standard of care for people with cystic fibrosis is very high, and many of these practices are already commonplace, launching the Cystic Fibrosis Standards of Care is an integral step towards formalising these practices,” Ms Andersen said.

“The UK, Canada and the USA have all adopted standards of care and now Australia has developed similar guidelines to effectively support those within our community who need care.”

Developed by committee members from diverse professional groups who are experts in the delivery of CF care and representatives from the CF consumer community, Guideline Steering Committee co-chair Dr Scott Bell said the standards have assessed and developed guidelines for all areas surrounding CF care.

“It is clear from our assessments that in order to receive adequate care, Australians living with CF require a dedicated centre staffed by specialists who are trained to deliver the high level of care required,” Dr Bell said.

“A life with CF requires daily physiotherapy, intense medication, and frequent hospital visits. These are people dealing on a daily basis often with persistent coughing, difficulty breathing, poor appetite, and other insidious symptoms of a condition which affects many parts of the body, so this is really about ensuring consistent care throughout Australia”.

The standards also address the best practice for CF diagnosis, outreach services and clinics, home therapy, transplantation and end of life care.

Ms Andersen said while at this stage the adoption and implementation of the standards are not mandatory for health service providers it was an excellent start to formalising current practices.

“In reviewing the guidelines the HQCC has confirmed that these standards are evidence-based, are likely to improve the delivery of CF care, and promote consistency in the quality of care delivered to CF patients.”

The Cystic Fibrosis Standards of Care Australia is endorsed by the Thoracic Society of Australia and New Zealand and the Royal Australasian College of Physicians.

Health Quality and Complaints Commissioner Professor Michael Ward applauded the initiative.

“As Queensland’s quality champion, we are supportive of any steps taken to improve the treatment and care of those with cystic fibrosis, and to promote consistency in the way patients are treated throughout the country.”

WHAT:  The Queensland launch of the Cystic Fibrosis Standards of Care
WHEN:  10am Friday, 31st July 2009
WHERE:  Rose Cottage, 9 Davenport Street , Chermside

INTERVIEW OPPORTUNIITES:

• Cystic Fibrosis Queensland CEO Jane Andersen
• Director of Respiratory Pediatrics at the Royal Children’s Hospital Dr Claire Wainwright
• Director of Thoracic Medicine at Prince Charles Hospital Dr Scott Bell
• Commissioner Professor Michael Ward from the Health Quality and Complaints Commission
• Local cystic fibrosis clients.

For more information please contact Patrick Martin at Red PR on (07)32525735 or patrick@redpr.com.au