{"id":120560,"date":"2025-03-24T02:00:00","date_gmt":"2025-03-24T07:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.unmc.edu\/newsroom\/?p=120560"},"modified":"2025-03-21T14:04:48","modified_gmt":"2025-03-21T19:04:48","slug":"unmc-among-33-centers-to-join-special-lung-disease-network","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.unmc.edu\/newsroom\/2025\/03\/24\/unmc-among-33-centers-to-join-special-lung-disease-network\/","title":{"rendered":"UNMC among 33 centers to join special lung disease network"},"content":{"rendered":"
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UNMC has been designated a Bronchiectasis and NTM Care Center Network by the Bronchiectasis and NTM Association.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

UNMC is one of 27 care center and six clinical associate center sites in 23 states and the District of Columbia to be recognized as the new Bronchiectasis and NTM Care Center Network, which aims to facilitate access to specialized care and support for the hundreds of thousands of people with bronchiectasis and nontuberculous mycobacterial lung disease.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThis is a recognition of the growth of our program and UNMC as a place patients can receive excellent specialty care,\u201d said Rick Starlin, MD, assistant professor in the Division of Infectious Diseases in the UNMC Department of Internal Medicine. \u201cBeing part of this national network of care centers allows us to offer patients access to novel therapies, clinical trials, education and support.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Faculty from the UNMC Divisions of Infectious Diseases and Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine have been collaborating to provide care for these medically challenging patients. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The designation, Dr. Starlin said, also provides greater opportunities for both current research and future studies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bronchiectasis is a chronic lung disease characterized by enlarged airways that are thickened and\/or scarred. These permanently widened airways lead to a buildup of mucus and impaired clearance of bacteria from the lungs. Between 340,000 and 522,000 adults are receiving treatment in the U.S.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nontuberculous mycobacterial lung disease is a chronic respiratory condition caused by certain types of mycobacteria commonly found in the environment, such as in soil and water. NTM lung disease predominantly affects individuals with compromised immune systems or pre-existing lung conditions, such as bronchiectasis and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. NTM lung disease affects tens of thousands of individuals in the U.S. with rates of infection on the rise.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAs the prevalence of bronchiectasis and NTM lung disease grows, it is even more important for us to create this care center network to improve access to high-quality, specialty care and resources patients need,\u201d said Doreen Addrizzo-Harris, MD, chair of the CCN Steering Committee. \u201cThe CCN\u2019s innovative, nationwide network will help us achieve our goals of improving care and quality of life for those with these conditions, as well as advancing toward a cure.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Centers accepted into the CCN receive a designation of either a Bronchiectasis and NTM Care Center or a Bronchiectasis and NTM Clinical Associate Center, based on institutional resources and infrastructure. The requirements are established by the CCN\u2019s Steering Committee, comprised of leading experts in the field.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new Bronchiectasis and NTM Care Center sites are (in alphabetical order):<\/p>\n\n\n\n