U of A, Banner redesignated as Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation Care Center

The Interstitial Lung Disease Program within the Division of Pulmonary, Allergy, Critical Care & Sleep Medicine in the Department of Medicine recently was informed by the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation that its designation as part of the national PFF Care Center Network had been renewed. 

Sachin Chaudhary, MD, an associate professor of medicine in the PACCS division and ILD program director, noted that the U of A College of Medicine – Tucson and Banner – University Medicine Tucson were initially designated as part of this network in 2014. Today, the ILD clinic, now at Banner – University Medicine North, Building 2, is one of 74 such centers across the country. The nearest other PFF Care Center is at Banner – University Medical Center Phoenix, 108 miles away.

EXTRA: What is interstitial lung disease and pulmonary fibrosis?

In the U.S., interstitial lung disease affects about 650,000 people and causes roughly 25,000 to 30,000 deaths per year, according to a recent JAMA Network review. ILDs involve a big group of disorders, many of which cause progressive scarring – or pulmonary fibrosis – of lung tissue that eventually affects your ability to breathe and get oxygen into your bloodstream. Some ILDs may be caused by exposure to hazardous materials like asbestos, silica and chemicals. Some types of autoimmune diseases like rheumatoid arthritis, sarcoidosis or scleroderma can cause it. And for some, known as idiopathic pulmonary disease, the exact cause is unknown. To learn more, visit these web links: American Lung Association | ILD and Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation | PF.

The following is a Q&A interview with Dr. Chaudhary from earlier this week:

Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation graphic illustrating what happens in the lungs due to interstitial lung diseases characterized by inflammation, scarring or both. There are more than 200 types of this disorder.

Q: When was UA/Banner UMC first made a PFF Care Center? 
A: The first application for this designation was around 2013 or 2014, it was when Gordon E. Carr, MD, now a chief medical officer for Banner – University Medical Center, was the ILD director. 

Q: What does being a PFF Care Center do for our ILD program?
A: Being designated as a Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation (PFF) Care Center enhances the capabilities and reputation of an Interstitial Lung Disease (ILD) program in several ways:

1. Access to Resources: PFF Care Centers have access to specialized resources, including the latest research, guidelines, and educational materials on pulmonary fibrosis and related ILDs. This allows the center to provide state-of-the-art care to patients.
2. Multidisciplinary Expertise: The PFF Care Center designation recognizes the program’s expertise in managing ILD patients through a multidisciplinary approach. This typically includes pulmonologists, radiologists, pathologists, and other specialists who collaborate to diagnose and treat patients with complex ILDs.
3. Clinical Trials: PFF Care Centers often participate in clinical trials, offering patients early access to cutting-edge therapies. This aligns the ILD program with leading research initiatives and advances in treatment.
4. Networking and Collaboration: As part of the PFF Care Center Network, the program gains opportunities for collaboration with other leading ILD experts across the country, facilitating knowledge-sharing, research partnerships, and innovative care models. We have hosted speakers on behalf of the PFF as well as have access to webinars for training and ongoing continuing education to make sure we’re aware of the latest developments across the network.
5. Patient Confidence: The PFF Care Center designation increases patient confidence in the program. It signals to patients and referring physicians that the center meets high standards in providing comprehensive care for ILDs.
6. Educational Outreach: PFF Care Centers are often involved in community and patient education, furthering awareness and understanding of pulmonary fibrosis and ILDs, which helps in early diagnosis and management.

Q: Who are our faculty working in this area and how many patients do we see typically? 
A. Arista Chand, MD, an assistant professor in the PACCS division, is assistant director of the ILD program. Other faculty and staff that serve the program include: Bhupinder Natt, MD; Tammer El-Aini, MD; Ken Knox, MD; Marybeth Jamison, NP; Heidi Ericson, RN, BSN (research manager); and Clarissa Renteria, RN, BSN (nurse navigator). We also have fellows and residents who work with patients as well as medical students. We have roughly around 2,000 visits every year in our clinic. We have grown from two half-day clinics to roughly 7-8 half-days a week.

For more information, see the U of A PFF Care Center listing on the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation website here.

ALSO SEE:
“UA/Banner Lung, Rheumatology Teams Honored with ‘Scleroderma Research and Treatment Center’ Status” | Posted Feb. 28, 2019
“Banner – UMC Tucson Included in Expansion of Early Access Program for Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis Genomic Classifier” | Posted Dec. 7, 2018
“Global Respiratory Alliance Names UA Interstitial Lung Disease Program among Designated 'WASOG Sarcoidosis Clinics’” | Posted Nov. 30, 2018
“UA to Co-Host Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation Lecture, ‘Empowering the IPF Patient,’ at Aloft Tucson University” | Posted Oct. 28, 2018
“Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation Sponsors UA Lecture on Interstitial Lung Disease” | Posted Nov. 30, 2017
“COM-T’s Interstitial Lung Disease Program to Join National Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation Care Center Network” | Posted Feb. 26, 2015