Public health campaign funds provide a "safety net" for indigent tuberculosis patients at the Mount Sinai Hospital.

This article describes the development of a partnership between a voluntary health care institution and a state agency for a focused public health program providing vital clinical, public health, and social supportive services. In addition to the historical development of this alliance, the article illustrates joint problem-solving processes to address complex issues. Since its inception in 1992, this collaboration has resulted in significant improvements in the health status of a high-risk, difficult-to-serve, indigent population that would otherwise pose a public health threat to the community.

Hospital care of tuberculosis patients referred for directly observed therapy in New York City: identifying factors in prolonged stays.

Individuals hospitalized and treated for tuberculosis (TB) who were then enrolled into TB directly observed therapy at four study hospitals in New York City (NYC) were identified. Review of hospital medical records determined whether the hospitalizations were warranted and whether lengths of stay were prolonged. Most hospitalizations were appropriate but over 70 percent of cases analyzed had prolonged stays.

Creation of a tuberculosis directly observed therapy provider network in New York City: a new model of public health.

A 1990-1991 New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH) assessment of the ongoing tuberculosis (TB) epidemic in New York City (NYC) led to legislative enactment of policy recommendations to help stem the epidemic. The principal strategy entailed mobilization of community resources for TB directly observed therapy (DOT) to supplement the DOT available from the NYC Department of Health (NYCDOH). For implementation, the NYSDOH engaged a coalition of public and private health care providers in a TB DOT Provider Network.