Health officials launch Arizona Surge Line
Centralized system will help patients, hospitals, and healthcare providers
PHOENIX, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) - The Arizona Department of Health Services (ADHS) has launched a new way for doctors, hospitals, and health officials to better communicate about coronavirus patients.
ADHS unveiled its Arizona Surge Line Tuesday. It's a new centralized statewide system connecting hospitals, healthcare professionals, and health officials. It's designed to protect state hospitals from potential surges in patients.
The Line's primary goal is to ensure coronavirus patients get appropriate placement, and the right level of care. It also makes admission, transfer, and ultimately discharge easier.
“As we’ve learned from other states, it is critical to protect our healthcare system to ensure that no region of the state is overwhelmed by COVID-19 patients while another region’s hospitals remain empty and ready to serve,” said Dr. Cara Christ, Director of the Arizona Department of Health Services.
“Establishment of the Arizona Surge Line is a key initiative to protect Arizona patients and hospitals by making sure Arizonans are transferred to the right level of care at the right time for the best outcome. We greatly appreciate the leadership of our healthcare systems in Arizona who have come together to support this launch.” said Christ.
The Surge Line is a free 24/7 service managed by the state department of health. In addition to facilitating patient transfer and care, it also provides a hub for real-time bed and ventilator status reports from hospitals across the state. This lets health officials know where they can find both if, and when, need arises. The line will also help coordinate the transport between facilities if a transfer is necessary.
The Arizona Surge Line is one of many initiatives spearheaded by ADHS to prepare for a potential surge in coronavbirus cases. The learn more about the line, click here.
