How Arizona Health Systems Went from Competitors to Collaborators to Load-balance COVID-19 Resources

Many types of businesses in Arizona in mid-May began the process of reopening after weeks of COVID-19-related closures. As a result, state officials and health system leaders prepared for the worst, but hoped for the best as we braced for a possible patient surge.

Now, as of this writing in mid-June, COVID cases and deaths are on an exponential growth curve in the state.

However, Arizona is better prepared than most other states that have also begun to reopen their economies. That’s because in April, Arizona’s Department of Health Services (ADHS) created a first-of-its-kind regional access center that any physician statewide can call to transfer a patient with COVID-19 from their hospital to one of the dozen or so health systems admitting patients in need of critical care.