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How CF Care Is Delivered

Cystic fibrosis (CF) clinics provide specialized multidisciplinary care for individuals with cystic fibrosis. In Canada, there are CF clinics in most major cities, all within a hospital setting, and many with a university affiliation.

CF patients are seen by various healthcare professionals at each clinic visit, and during hospitalization. This multidisciplinary approach optimizes the care delivered – regular interaction with healthcare professionals at clinic visits that include all team members offer convenient, comprehensive care and promote a long-term association with CF clinical care. Cystic fibrosis must be treated throughout life, and it is important that affected individuals develop a comfortable, trusting relationship with clinic personnel.

Ideally, individuals with cystic fibrosis attend clinic once every three or four months, and consult with all clinic team members at each clinic visit; these team members include the physician and nurse, along with the dietitian, physiotherapist, social worker, pharmacist, and others.

Cystic Fibrosis Canada provides support to accredited Canadian CF clinics through its Clinic Incentive grant program. These grants help ensure the CF clinic personnel are available to the patients, and have dedicated time to serve CF patients that attend their hospital. Cystic Fibrosis Canada’s grants also help to ensure clinic personnel have continual professional development, by attending meetings and conferences, so they continually upgrade their knowledge and skills, and remain up-to-date on advancements in research and care. These grants assist healthcare personnel with travel to outreach centres so they can provide CF-specific care in distant communities that do not have CF clinics.

At-Home Spirometer Purchase Program

Early in the pandemic, members of the Canadian CF community asked us if we could help them source an affordable, at-home spirometer, with the features they needed. In June 2020, Cystic Fibrosis Canada conducted a survey of the CF community to ask what features would be desired in an at-home spirometer as well as an affordable price point. Cystic Fibrosis Canada identified the MIR Spirobank Smart as satisfying the features list, but at the time the cost in Canada was prohibitive. Working with ZEPHYRx, a remote respiratory monitoring solutions provider, we secured a deeply discounted rate ($199 CDN including shipping + GST, you may incur a customs fee) in line with the needs of our community.

Used properly the Spirobank Smart spirometer can be used anytime, anywhere, to monitor pulmonary function. The easy-to-use system connects via Bluetooth to the ZEPHYRx’s Breathe Easy mobile application, as well as to several other mobile applications available for free on the app stores, and can provide users with more frequent and immediate information about their lung function. The Breathe Easy app also offers over 15 breathing exercise games. We strongly recommend communicating with your clinic team before purchasing.

The spirometer can be purchased directly from the online ZEPHYRx Store, using this unique link: https://store.zephyrx.com/

For more information, please see the FAQ below.

For members of the Cystic Fibrosis Canada community, ZEPHYRx has offered the Spirobank Smart Spirometer at the special price of $199.00 CDN including shipping and GST. Please note that you may incur a customs fee.

Some insurance companies may cover the cost of the spirometer. Please check your individual policy for confirmation before purchasing.

Members of the Cystic Fibrosis Canada community can purchase the Spirobank Smart Spirometer direct from ZEPHYRx at https://store.zephyrx.com/. It is recommended that you speak with your clinician before purchasing.

Used properly, the Bluetooth spirometer can be used at home, or on the go, to track pulmonary function, whenever or wherever you’d like. With built-in Bluetooth capability, it is very simple to connect to the Breathe Easy app from ZEPHYRx. Instructions for setup and use are included with the spirometer. As well, the ZEPHYRx Customer Success team can provide training videos and are available Monday - Friday, 8am - 7pm EST for support: support@zephyrx.com or 888-452-6269.

If your clinic team uses the ZEPHYRx Provider Dashboard, then with your prior consent via the ZEPHYRx Breathe Easy app, every pulmonary function test you take will be shared with your designated physician. Alternatively, a number of mobile apps are available for use with the MIR Spirobank Smart on the app stores.

Please note that at this time, due to the Personal Information Protect Act and the Personal Information Disclosure Act, CF clinics in British Columbia and Nova Scotia cannot use the ZEPHYRx Provider Dashboard until ZEPHYRx adds a version of their server in Canada.

You will see your results in real-time in the ZEPHYRx Breathe Easy app as soon as a test is completed. The app will also flag when a test should be repeated based on the quality of the test data. If your provider is subscribed to the ZEPHYRx Provider Dashboard and you have consented to share your data with your provider, they will receive your test results in real-time through the dashboard.

Yes, the home spirometry is not designed to replace clinic visits, however, it can complement your visits.

In June 2020, Cystic Fibrosis Canada conducted a survey of the CF community to ask what features would be desired in an at-home spirometer as well as an affordable price point. Cystic Fibrosis Canada identified the MIR Spirobank Smart as satisfying the features list, but at the time the cost in Canada was prohibitive.  Working with ZEPHYRx, who offer a software solution for clinics for at-home pulmonary function testing we secured a deeply discounted rate ($199 CDN including shipping + GST) in line with the needs of our community.

Your data will be securely stored within the Breathe Easy app which is local to your mobile device. Optionally, if you have consented via the Breathe Easy app to share your data with your provider, then your test results will also be shared via the ZEPHYRx Provider Dashboard. For additional information, please refer to the ZEPHYRx Privacy Policy.