Enjoy the video presentation, and scroll below for links to recommended apps and websites to help you manage your medications!

TOPIC:
Breathing Easy with Cystic Fibrosis: The Impact of Clinical Research
Tune in for an overview of clinical trials. Learn how they work & discover why we need participants with CF more than ever.

DATE:
Thursday, June 24, 2021

GUEST SPEAKER:
Lisa Holmes, CRC RMAII
Research Coordinator, Duke

Video Recording of Workshop:

Enjoy the video presentation, and scroll below for links to recommended apps and websites to help you manage your medications!

TOPIC:
Managing the Medication Madness
Learn tips for organizing and keeping track of medications, the various specialty pharmacies, and getting a system for refilling them so you can save time. Also, learn about programs for CF medications that offer nutritional supplements at no extra cost!

DATE:
Thursday, April 22, 2021

GUEST SPEAKERS:
Clinical Pharmacists, UNC Chapel HillCameron McKinzie, Pharm.D. & Charissa Kam, Pharm.D.

Video Recording of Workshop:

HFealthwell Foundation®

• CF Treatments Fund
• CF Vitamins and Supplements Fund

www.healthwellfoundation.org

Creon® CareForward
www.creon.com/cfcareforward

Live2Thrive (Zenpep®)
www.live2thrive.org

Vivus Healthstore (Pancreaze)
store.vivushealth.com

Vertex GPS
www.vertexgps.com

Pulmozyme
www.pulmozyme.com

MedActionPlan
medactionplan.com

FREE APPS:

MyMedSchedule
medactionplan.com/mymedschedule

Mango Health
www.mangohealth.com

Medisafe
www.medisafeapp.com

TOPIC:
Infection Prevention 101:
Discover healthy best practices for those with CF and their extended families!

DATE:
Thursday, February 25, 2021

GUEST SPEAKERS:
Natalie Schnell, RN
UNC Hospital Epidemiology

Enjoy the video presentation, and scroll below for answers to questions and additional resources on infection prevention.

Video Recording of Workshop Available:

What is the Efficacy of Norwex supplies & cleaning cloths with silver anti-microbial woven in?

• I was unable to find any scientific research in a peer-reviewed journal regarding this brand through UNC’s health sciences library and PubMed.  Individual ingredients of the products in question could be researched to determine whether there is proven effectiveness against bacteria, viruses, fungi, etc.  It is also important to note whether a product’s claims state that it can be used for disinfection.
• If a microfiber cleaning cloth has silver woven into the fabric, it works to inhibit microbial growth within the cloth only.  While microfiber is very effective, a cleaning solution should still be used with that item.

 
How effective are neck gaiters?

• Based on most recent research, neck gaiters are an effective means of protection, as long as they fit well and consistently stay in place.  The effectiveness can vary based on the type of material.  Very effective combination when worn over a procedure mask.

 
Are there suggestions for low odor cleaning supplies?

• One of the products used in the hospital is accelerated hydrogen peroxide (AHP), but 3% hydrogen peroxide is an effective disinfectant for home use.  This is the same concentration found at pharmacies, but I am not sure if the brand-name cleaners like Lysol or Clorox use the 3% hydrogen peroxide or AHP in their hydrogen peroxide-specific preparations.
• The EPA maintains lists of registered antimicrobial products with claims against common pathogens: https://www.epa.gov/pesticide-registration/selected-epa-registered-disinfectants
  

 
How effective is UV light for disinfection?

• For UV light to be effective, it must reach all surfaces of the area to be cleaned in question – it will not penetrate the surface.  For example, waving a device like a UV light wand over a cell phone will only disinfect that side of the cell phone – it would need to be waved over the other side, as well.  Junctions between the case and the phone can have an increased microbial burden, and physical cleaning will be the best way to ensure thorough removal.  Using items like UV light may also effect the warranty of your device – follow the manufacturer’s instructions for cleaning.
• Unlike the EPA-registered items we would use in the hospital with proven claims, there is not currently an agency that validates whether these products for home use meet the standards they advertise.  While we know UV light works effectively for disinfection, there is no way to confirm whether the devices sold by a myriad of companies use adequate amounts of light, what the specified square footage for use may be, and what the quality of the bulbs sold with the device is.

 
Do you have suggestions for proper mask fit?

• Department director Emily Sickbert-Bennett’s video for optimizing mask fit can be found here:
  https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=youtu.be&v=UANi8Cc71A0

TOPIC:
2020 NACFC Recap with Dr. Retsch-Bogart

Dr. Retsch-Bogart, Pediatric Pulmonologist from UNC-CH shared recap and updates from the 2020 North American Cystic Fibrosis Conference (NACFC).

DATE:
Thursday, December 10, 2020

GUEST SPEAKERS:
Dr. Retsch-Bogart
Pediatric Pulmonologist
UNC-Chapel Hill

Video Recording of Workshop Available:

TOPIC:
Understanding Compass

DATE:
Thursday, October 8, 2020

GUEST SPEAKERS:
Aaron Stocks
COMPASS Operations Manager

Video Recording of Workshop Available:

TOPIC:
Helping Your Children Be More Independent

Discuss strategies to help your children develop skills to become more independent with their treatments and self-care.

DATE:
Thursday, August 13, 2020

GUEST SPEAKERS:
Ellen Pentra
Social Worker,
UNC CF Pediatrics

Jennifer Webber
CF Parent

Video Recording of Workshop Available:

TOPIC:
Tips to Stay Active During Quarantine!

DATE:
Thursday, May 21, 2020

GUEST SPEAKERS:
Caroline Webber
2nd year student at UNC

Brooke Guthrie
Graduate of High Point University

*Click the links below to view Resources and Tips on Staying Active:

TOPIC:
Coping with COVID-19 and an Evolving New Normal

Behavioral Health Integration Program (BHIP) & The Trauma Informed Care Program (T.I.C.) with Dr. Dana Crawford & Dr. Miguelina Germán, Montefiore Albert Einstein College of Medicine

DATE:
Thursday, March 26, 2020

The following documents may assist you and your family as you manage life during the COVID-19 pandemic. We know this is a difficult time for many families - especially those with CF. Please take a moment and review the resources below.

TOPIC:
Understanding Lung Function Tests (PFTs)

DATE:
Thursday, January 23, 2020

GUEST SPEAKERS:
Priscilla Kilts, MSRC, RRT, RCP

Recording of this workshop is available:

TOPIC:
Research Updates from 2019 North American Cystic Fibrosis Conference (NACFC)

DATE:
Thursday, November 19, 2019

GUEST SPEAKERS:
Dr. Marianne Muhlebach, MD

Recording from this workshop is available: