Banner Health utilizing 1,000 out-of-state workers for coronavirus response

PHOENIX — Banner Health confirmed Friday it is utilizing about 1,000 out-of-state workers to help combat the continued rise in coronavirus cases and hospitalizations in Arizona.

Becky Armendariz, a spokesperson for Banner, said most of the workers are ICU nurses, progressive care nurses and respiratory therapists.

Armendariz said that the extra help is being used in Banner locations throughout the state.

Banner is the state’s largest hospital network.

Most of the workers, who came from across the country and who previously worked in other COVID-19 hotspots, were on initial four-week contracts that have been extended an additional four or eight weeks.

“The additional staffing has helped us to continue expanding our bed capacity,” Armendariz said.

The added help comes as inpatient beds at Arizona hospitals were 87% full as of Thursday and have been at least 85% full each of the past 10 days, peaking at 88% on July 10.

ICU beds were 90% full as of Thursday and the ICU occupancy rate has been at least 88% each day since June 30, with a high of 91% reported July 7.

Banner said it had also hired about 50 per diem physicians and expects to hire more soon.

About 700 current Banner Health employees from other units have also been trained to care for patients in respiratory units.

Arizona reported 138,523 COVID-19 cases and 2,583 fatalities as of Friday morning.

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