Overview
As a Cystic Fibrosis (CF) Foundation-accredited program, the Cleveland Clinic Adult CF Program specializes in the diagnosis, management and treatment of individuals with CF and those suspected of having CF. The CF team provides multidisciplinary patient- and family-centered care for patients from the region as well as around the world. Treatment goals encompass the full spectrum of disease severity, from maintaining health for those with early-stage lung disease to supporting patients through and after lung transplantation. Our program specializes in treating challenging CF-related airways infections due to multi-drug resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Achromobacter, Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), Burkholderia cepacia complex, and non-tuberculous mycobacteria (such as Mycobacterium avium complex and Mycobacterium abscessus). Patients seen in our CF center not only have access to the most advanced outpatient and inpatient clinical care, but also CF-focused clinical research programs.
We partner closely with the Cleveland Clinic Children’s CF team to transition pediatric patients who are ready for adult care. For those patients with advanced CF lung disease, we collaborate with the world-renowned Cleveland Clinic Lung Transplant Program, one of the most active and experienced programs in the nation. The Cleveland Clinic Lung Transplant program is a leader in transplantation for CF and is a participating member of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation’s Lung Transplant Consortium, aimed at developing best practices for the care of CF lung transplant recipients.
A Team Approach
Our multidisciplinary care team has extensive experience in caring for CF patients of all ages and all stages of disease. A major focus of the team is a culture of consistent quality improvement.
CF Team members include:
- Adult Pulmonologists
- Pediatric Pulmonologists
- Transplant Pulmonologists
- Cardiothoracic Surgeons
- Nurse Practitioners/Physician Assistants
- Social Workers
- Dietitians
- Respiratory Therapists
- Research Coordinators
- Infectious Disease
- Ear, Nose, and Throat Physicians
- Endocrinologists
- Gastroenterologists
- Rheumatologists
- Fertility Center
- High Risk Obstetrics
- Pharmacologists
- Psychologists
- Genetic Counselors
- Physical Therapists
- Financial counselors
Program Director
The Adult CF Program is led by Elliott Dasenbrook, MD. Dr. Dasenbrook has been involved in the care of individuals with CF for more than 10 years and is a nationally-recognized expert in the management of difficult to treat infections in the CF population. He is a member of the National Cystic Fibrosis Access to Care Committee, a group of patients, family members, and clinicians charged with the task of identifying barriers and solutions to improve access to care in the United States. He is also the Associate Chair of the National CF Foundation Patient Registry Committee and an active participant in CF-related clinical research.
For More Information
Phone: 216.442.4623(GOCF)
View Our Treatment Outcomes
Our Outcomes offer detailed information and data to help patients and their physicians make informed decisions about treatment for a wide-range of respiratory issues.
Download Our Free Cystic Fibrosis Treatment Guide
What We Treat
Cleveland Clinic Adult CF specializes in difficult to treat infections including patients with:
- Multi-drug resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa
- Achromobacter
- Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)
- Burkholderia cepacia complex (all species)
- Mycobacterium avium complex
- Mycobacterium abscessus
- Fungal infections such as Scedosporium
Cleveland Clinic Adult CF partners with the Cleveland Clinic Lung Transplant Program
“We are leaders in lung transplant for patients with cystic fibrosis, including difficult to treat infections such as Burkholderia cepacia complex, liver-lung transplant, and patients with acute decompensation needing urgent evaluation for transplant” says Dr. Dasenbrook. Research shows that the more transplants a center performs on patients with CF, the better their chances of long-term survival. “We’re very focused on providing patients with the best possible outcomes.”
The Cleveland Clinic CF Program was an inaugural member of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation Lung Transplant Consortium> We are 1 of 10 centers in the United States and Canada that were selected to facilitate the study of lung transplant for CF and other lung diseases to improve access, clinical care, and long term outcomes of individuals with CF who undergo lung transplant.
Unique Cleveland Clinic Adult CF Collaborations
- Cleveland Clinic Home care: Ability to safely provide home intravenous antibiotics
- Cleveland Clinic Specialty Pharmacy: Access to CF specific medications
- Maternal Fetal Medicine: Comprehensive management including preconception planning, pregnancy management, and delivery
- Infectious disease experts in the management of non-tuberculous mycobacteria
Additional resources can be found at the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation’s website.
Research & Clinical Trials
Clinical trials (or research studies) help us create the medicine of tomorrow. They provide hope through offering testing of new drugs, new surgical techniques or other treatments before they are widely available.
We can help you access hundreds of clinical trials across all specialty areas. Our new searchable online trials tool makes identifying treatment opportunities easier than ever.
Recommended Readings
Here is a list of recent peer-reviewed research articles about lung transplant written by Cleveland Clinic doctors and staff.
For Medical Professionals
Patient Referrals
Our secure online service, Dr.Connect, provides referring physicians access to patient’s treatment progress with streamlined communication from Cleveland Clinic physicians to your office, allowing continued participation in the ongoing care of patients. With the best possible treatment plans and coordinated care, our team approach benefits both the patient and the referring physician.
CMEs
Cleveland Clinic's Respiratory Institute offers continuing medical education courses through the Center for Continuing Education. We are providers of AMA-approved continuing medical education (CME) units for physicians and physician assistants, and of continuing education units by the Ohio Nurses Association for nurses and by the Ohio Respiratory Care Board for respiratory therapists.
