HOME CARE FOR CYSTIC-FIBROSIS PATIENTS

The most part of the management of cystic fibrosis has to be accomplished at home. This might be difficult for the patient and his family for diseases like cystic fibrosis in wich the treatment is complex and polyvalent, very often quite demanding and time consuming and usually very expensive. Some therapies require a strong involvement and present often high level of difficulty for the self management. These are mainly clinical nutrition, intensive physiotherapy, parenteral antimicrobial theraphy, oxigen therapy and terminal phase care. The most common area of therapy at home is the intravenous administration of antibiotics. Data are presented of a study carried out to compare home versus hospital intravenous antibiotic treatment: home therapy was as effective and safe as hospital treatment and quite cheaper. However in this area, like in others, we are still awaiting for a greater involvement of the local public health services, which could better support the home care. The CF Center is not everithing, and some insecurities of the patients might be overcame by a more consistent presence of physicians and nurses at home through a well coordinated team in which Center personnel and pharmacies are integrated with peripheral support.