Improving lung function in adolescents with CF by tracking annual rate of lung function decline

For patients with cystic fibrosis (CF), sustaining lung function through the adolescent years is crucial to slow the progressive decline that leads to significant morbidity and early mortality. This holds true for patients with high per cent predicted forced expiratory volume in 1 s (ppFEV₁), as they may receive less vigilant monitoring and treatment. Early identification of lung function decline followed by aggressive treatment can lead to preservation of lung function.

The Emory+Children's Pediatric Cystic Fibrosis Program implemented multiple quality improvement (QI) initiatives to identify and aggressively treat adolescent patients with a rapid decline in lung function. These initiatives included (1) lung zones to categorise and highlight lung function decline, (2) individual lung decline tables for quick reference, (3) a lung health algorithm to encourage uniformity, (4) a rapid decliner checklist to identify potential reasons for individual decline and (5) an automated individual patient-level data report and centre scorecard. We tested these interventions with plan-do-study-act cycles and refined as needed.

Implementation of these QI initiatives resulted in overall improvement in lung function and slowing of lung function decline among adolescents with CF . This improvement could be attributed to the more standardised and proactive approach to decreases in lung function and the increased clinician attention to patients with rapid decline, especially for patients with high baseline ppFEV₁.