PHOENIX — Gov. Doug Ducey ordered ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ hospitals to come up with plans to increase bed capacity by 50% within the next month and to have half of those new beds ready by April 10.
Ducey’s executive order Wednesday came a day after state health director Dr. Cara Christ said the current supply of hospital beds likely won’t meet the needs, given how many ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ns will need treatment for COVID-19.
The state will need twice as many intensive-care unit beds as its current 1,500 and an 87% increase in its 15,000 regular beds, she said.
Christ estimated the number of people infected in ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ should peak next month, with the maximum number of hospitalizations in May.
Ducey’s order also:
- Requires pediatric hospitals to admit patients up to age 21. The only exception would be for labor and delivery admissions.
- Says that private insurance companies, and plans that provide Medicaid coverage in ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, cannot refuse to pay for certain covered services simply because the patient was in an uncertified “surge capacity†bed. Those requirements are in place for 180 days.
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The 50% increase will not meet what Christ said is likely needed in hospital beds, acknowledged Ducey press aide Patrick Ptak.
But he said state officials are working with the Army Corps of Engineers and the Federal Emergency Management Agency to set up temporary facilities as needed.
The governor’s order should not be a surprise for hospitals, Ptak said.
“The Department of Health Services has worked with our hospitals and health-care providers on emergency operations plans to have in place,†he said.
Ptak said hospitals received funding from the state to have those plans in place.
There may be unused space out there, he said.
“I have heard that brought up before, that certain places have moved into new buildings and now they don’t use floors 4 through 8,†Ptak said.
There’s also the possibility of converting wings now used for elective surgery for acute care, especially since Ducey previously said elective surgeries should not be conducted during the coronavirus emergency, in order to save equipment like masks and gowns.
Christ already told hospitals that, to the extent possible, they should send patients who do not need hospital care for COVID-19 to other facilities.
There was no immediate response from the ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Hospital and Healthcare Association.
Photos for March 26: ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ gets by during coronavirus pandemic
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, coronavirus pandemic
Izzy Thesz, a junior at the University of ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ and member of the club cheer team, practices her tumbling in a mostly empty central mall outside of the Albert B. Weaver Science-Engineering Library, on March 26, 2020.
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, coronavirus pandemic
Two pedestrians wearing gloves and masks walk past, a closed down, Chicago Music Store in Downtown ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ on March 23, 2020. People in ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, Ariz. are starting to wear masks and gloves due to the Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19).
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, coronavirus pandemic
Bill Bresnahan, center, practices his putting with other golfers while waiting to tee off at hole one of Dell Urich Course at Randolph Golf Course in ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, Ariz., on March 23, 2020. Golf is increasingly becoming more popular due to the urged “Social Distance†because of Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19).
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, coronavirus pandemic
A sign at Sewell Elementary School, 425 N. Sahuaro Ave., informs the public that schools will be closed until April 10th due to Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19). Photo taken in ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, Ariz., on March 25, 2020.
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, coronavirus pandemic
Roman Martinez, freshman pre-business major at the University of ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, gets in a calisthenics workout using a Fit Core system at Mansfield Park, 2000 N. Fourth Ave., in ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, Ariz., on March 25, 2020.Ìý
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, coronavirus pandemic
A women walks down N. Craycroft Rd. wearing a mask and gloves, due to Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19), in ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, Ariz., on March 25, 2020.
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, coronavirus pandemic
Sixten Jordan, center, senior creative media and film major at Northern ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ University, Abigail Jackson, senior political science and international affairs major at NAU, and Max, 8-year-old mix, eat lunch at Mansfield Park, 2000 N. Fourth Ave., in ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, Ariz., on March 25, 2020. Due to numerous places closing because of Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19), parks are becoming a popular spot to hangout and partake in activities.
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, coronavirus pandemic
Marina Cornelius, owner of Floor Polish Dance + Fitness, teaches her Cardio Party-O class via Periscope to her students on March 20, 2020. Cornelius says this is the first time she's trying to livestream classes and is learning as she goes.
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, coronavirus pandemic
Sun sets behind the darkened Galaxy Theater closed in the aftermath of the COVID-19 restrictions, entering their second week in effect, March 25, 2020, ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, Ariz.
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, coronavirus pandemic
Chris Larsen pours himself a drink while chatting, and keeping his distance, from a few of his neighbors in Bario Viejo during the nightly get-together at Mendoza Park, March 24, 2020, ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, Ariz.
