Guest guest Posted November 26, 2009 Report Share Posted November 26, 2009 since the numbers of centers for excellence has increased i wonder do the centers for excellence seek new members or do the new members seek the centers of excellence to be added to their list Pink Joyce R (IPF 3/06) IFA 5/09 Pennsylvania Donate Life Listed 1/09 Inactive 4/09 www.transplantfund.org Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 26, 2009 Report Share Posted November 26, 2009 Pink I think its a combination of both. There are various forms of Centers of Excellence in many fields and different recognitions. Some of them are simply recognitions and hospitals go after those diligently to have all the " prestige " they can. Others, like the IPF Centers of Excellence require more of the center. Actually the National Heart and Lung Institute of the National Institutes of Health is also involved in encouraging participating centers. To be an IPF Center of Excellence, however, does require sharing of information, active participation in coordinating with the other centers, and involvement in trials. It does require some adaptation to the protocols established jointly as well. I know that the heads and representatives of the Centers do have annual meetings even. There certainly has been an increase. I think mostly it has come from Hospitals that did have ILD programs and by mutual choice they felt it was valuable enough to be a part of the program to make the changes to fully qualify while the existing Centers felt they would meet the standards and both benefit from the program and contribute to it. I do believe the sharing of knowledge to be so beneficial and am so glad to see the increase. I hope the time comes there is a Center convenient to everyone. I also hope by being part of the program those newer ones will find their Centers to improve toward the levels of those who have been involved for a long time. I would still personally favor some of the older centers but I think the newer ones are committed and will continue to raise their standards. The number of practicing pulmonologists in each of these centers is still a small number. UTSW here is a recent addition. They have a very large Pulmonology area. They do transplants. But, they only have three doctors dedicated to Interstitial Lung Diseases. Even if the average nationwide is 4 Pulmonologists, that only gives you around 80 in the entire nation. Still working as a group of 80 is better than being just a group of 4. > > since the numbers of centers for excellence has increased > > i wonder > > do the centers for excellence seek new members > > or > > do the new members seek the centers of excellence > > to be added to their list > > > Pink Joyce R (IPF 3/06) IFA 5/09 Pennsylvania > Donate Life Listed 1/09 Inactive 4/09 > www.transplantfund.org > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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