Cystic Fibrosis healthcare at University of Utah hospital

University of Utah Hospital putting Cystic Fibrosis (CF) patients care on the back burner! The U of U plans to disband it's only trained CF care unit and reduce care of CF patients levels not seen since the 1970s. This atrocity will place CF patients in a situation that will be life threatening!

Home care is not an option. It is not only very expensive but they will not get the care they direly need at home. The average cost for an inpatient Cystic fibrosis stay is $60,000. The amount could be more depending on the type of care the Cystic Fibrosis patient needs.

The CF patients at the University of Utah hospital need special care. The specially trained staff at the U of U was designed to treat them in the event of hospital stays, which can last up to two weeks or longer. It has been brought to our attention that with the new hospital expansion they are breaking up the 2 East unit which is the unit trained for CF care. This move is due to happen in October this year (2009). The U of U hospital admins are doing little to ensure the CF patients are going to get the proper care they need. They have said they will adjust where ever they go. This is not acceptable care for CF patients. There are several patients who are in and out of the hospital several times a year. Sometimes anywhere from 3-8 times a year or more. When CF patients are on another floor other than 2 East they do not get the proper care. In all cases the CF patient has to train other nursing staff on how to care for CF patients, some of which are not responsive to their help. They need a specialized unit with their highly trained and caring nurses that are currently taking great care of them.

According to www.CFF.org: "Cystic Fibrosis is an inherited chronic disease that affects the lungs and digestive system of about 30,000 children and adults in the United States (70,000 worldwide). It is a defective gene and its protein product cause the body to produce unusually thick, sticky mucus that clogs the lungs, and leads to life-threatening lung infections. It also obstructs the pancreas and stops natural enzymes from helping the body break down and absorb food. About 1,000 new cases of cystic fibrosis are diagnosed each year. More than 70\% of patients are diagnosed by age two. More than 40\% of the CF patient population is age 18 or older. The predicted median age of survival for a person with CF is 37 years."

These wonderful patients need your help. Please help them in our cause to help better their health care.