Business rationale developed to meet medical need

Opportunity: The growing population of adult CF patients was underserved by a medical network that was largely focused on pediatric CF patients. Until recently, adults had to travel to Nashville, Atlanta or Lexington, Ky., for access to a full-service adult clinic. Solution: The adult CF clinic at UT Medical Center, as proposed by Dr. Ludwig, would bring together providers from multiple disciplines, including physicians and nurse practitioners, dieticians, respiratory therapists, physical therapists and social workers. If the patient needed urgent or specialty care, he would have access to the hospital's resources and could continue to receive support from the clinic team while hospitalized. All test results and medical records would be kept within the same electronic system, allowing efficient, accurate flow of information among all providers.