International Cystic Fibrosis
Training Network
A collaborative effort funded by the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation and led by the UAB/Children’s of Alabama CF Team
WELCOME!
Our mission is to establish, train, and support multidisciplinary Cystic Fibrosis Care Centers in developing countries by coaching on healthcare team function, established standards of care, and quality improvement, leading to improved patient outcomes and increased life expectancy of people with CF.
What is ICFTN?
The UAB CF team has successfully trained LMIC teams through the CF Training Network-Latin America (CFTN-LA). This training initiative has evolved into the International Cystic Fibrosis Training Network (ICFTN), a learning network that incorporates UAB's International Mentor Training Initiative (IMTI) and advanced data management solutions. This creates a comprehensive approach to improving CF care in resource-limited areas of the world.
Background of ICFTN
In 2014, Cystic Fibrosis clinical outcomes in Chile did not follow those of the general health outcomes and economic indicators that the country had achieved in the last decades and showed disproportionate morbidity and mortality.
What Do We Do?
How is ICFTN Funded?
Over the past 60 years, the CF Foundation has established itself as a leader in rare disease research and has earned a global recognition for the advancement of new CF therapies.
About ICFTN
For two decades, Dr. Hector Gutierrez has followed his passion for caring for children with Cystic Fibrosis at the pediatric CF center in Birmingham, Alabama. Using quality improvement methodology to change processes and improve outcomes, he has led his team to become CF care leaders. At the same time, he has pursued an effort to improve CF care in his native country of Chile and surrounding countries, where life expectancy for people with CF falls well below that of people in the US.  By implementing a training program that mentors CF healthcare providers in Chile and Argentina and gives them the tools they need to improve, people with CF in both countries are now living longer.
Our Team
We are a CF care team at a large CF center in the US. We have worked together for more than ten years improving the function of our multidisciplinary team and the outcomes of the patients we serve. We are trained and experienced in quality improvement methods and coaching others.
We have worked with international teams in South America for the last nine years, changing processes, changing outcomes, and empowering providers and patients. We love what we do and want to help others be successful. 
Our Partner Team
We are a large pediatric multidisciplinary CF center in Texas and one of the oldest accredited centers in the US. We continue to work to improve the care provided to our patients and families through extensive quality improvement and training. We have a very diverse population of CF patients that we follow and this has inspired us to work with other CF teams in Latin America in partnership with the UAB team. We love working with our partner teams in Latin America to improve outcomes and the overall well-being of CF patients and their care teams.
All of our resources,
all in one place
List of Services
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Video ResourcesList Item 1
Engaging teams and learning from each other is the goal of our monthly web meetings. You can view previously recorded meetings here.
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Educational MaterialsList Item 2
Our team has shared numerous presentations with the core teams that we are working on within the CFTN. You can view some of them here.
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Peer Review ArticlesList Item 3
Here you can find a selection of publicly available articles -including several US CFF Care Guidelines- that we have used or recommended to our collaborative teams. Access the articles here.
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FormsList Item 4
We routinely issue surveys and ask for information to improve and strengthen the collaboration with the participating teams. Also, we invite you to tell us more about your team or yourself as a CF care provider, even if your team is not part of the collaborative. One of our goals is to expand the group.
We don't share any information with commercial entities. Aggregate and de-identified data might be shared with academic institutions, medical societies, and CF organizations.
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Links and External Resources
Additional useful resources may be accessed here. You will find helpful resources for your team and your patients.
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CFTN Database
Some of the participating centers are using the pilot CFTN Registry database. The platform helps with real-time medical management and with registry reporting. Participating teams authorized to enter data into the database log in here. Only approved users can access the database.
Cystic Fibrosis
Training Network
Providing mentorship and the tools to improve life expectancy of CF Patients in South America
Contact Us
1600 7th Avenue South
Lower Building Suite 620
Birmingham, AL 35233