How a 'safety net' hospital works with community organizations to help vulnerable patients

The director of transitional care at Upstate University Hospital explains the role of the community's "safety net" hospital in caring for impoverished patients. Poverty is both a cause and a consequence of poor health, says Diane Nanno, who is a clinical nurse specialist. She tells of numerous ways in which poverty impacts health and what is being done to help. She also explains the broader role of transitional care, which is to be sure that all patients are set with the medications, instructions and care they will need when they go home from the hospital. The director of transitional care at Upstate University Hospital explains the role of the community's "safety net" hospital in caring for impoverished patients. Poverty is both a cause and a consequence of poor health, says Diane Nanno, who is a clinical nurse specialist. She tells of numerous ways in which poverty impacts health and what is being done to help. She also explains the broader role of transitional care, which is to be sure that all patients are set with the medications, instructions and care they will need when they go home from the hospital.