ARIZONA NEWS

Arizona health department alters hospital bed availability reporting

Jun 8, 2020, 2:00 PM

hospital bed...

(Photo by Lisa Maree Williams/Getty Images)

(Photo by Lisa Maree Williams/Getty Images)

PHOENIX – The Arizona Department of Health Services changed the way it reported intensive care unit and inpatient bed capacity over the weekend.

Previously, the Hospital Bed Usage and Availability section of the state’s COVID-19 dashboard included “surge” beds that aren’t currently active, according to a Saturday blog post from Director Dr. Cara Christ.

The surge beds – backup space hospitals are prepared to activate in the event they exceed their regular capacity — had been included in calculations as filled beds until the change was made Saturday.

The upshot is the total number of ICU and inpatient beds in the dashboard fell, but the percentage of beds filled dropped.

The state reported Monday that 79% of inpatient beds and 77% of ICU beds were filled, leaving 1,506 inpatient beds and 363 ICU beds open.

More than 1,200 confirmed and suspected COVID-19 patients were hospitalized in Arizona on Sunday, according to the health department, with 390 in ICU beds and 246 using ventilators.

More than 120 COVID-19 patients were discharged from Arizona hospitals Sunday.

The state reported totals 27,678 coronavirus cases and 1,047 deaths on Monday morning.

We want to hear from you.

Have a story idea or tip? Pass it along to the KTAR News team here.

Arizona News

(Pexels Photo)...

KTAR.com

Man who fell into tracks dead after being struck by train in Phoenix

A man was pronounced dead after being struck by a train following a fall on to the tracks in Phoenix on Sunday evening.

4 hours ago

(Photo by Olivier Touron/AFP via Getty Images)...

Associated Press

Judge affirms Arizona can no longer exclude gender-affirming care from state health plans

A federal judge has approved a final settlement eliminating a ban on providing gender-affirming care under Arizona state employee health insurance.

7 hours ago

Maricopa County Sheriff Paul Penzone...

Brandon Gray

Maricopa County Sheriff Paul Penzone announces he will not pursue 3rd term

Maricopa County Sheriff Paul Penzone announced Monday he is not pursuing a third term and will be departing the office in January 2024.

9 hours ago

(Facebook Photo/Arizona Lottery)...

KTAR.com

Fantasy 5 jackpot ticket sold in Phoenix as Powerball prize exceeds $1B

It didn't take long for another Fantasy 5 jackpot to hit in Phoenix and lottery players could hit it big with the Powerball drawing on Monday night.

9 hours ago

Joe Perry, left, and Steven Tyler of Aerosmith perform Sept. 2, 2023, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania...

Kevin Stone

Aerosmith postpones Phoenix concert because of Steven Tyler’s vocal cord injury

First the Boss, now Steven Tyler. Add Aerosmith to the list of classic rockers forced to postpone their Phoenix concerts because of health issues.

10 hours ago

gavel hitting wood...

KTAR.com

Scottsdale man sentenced to prison for not paying employee taxes

A Scottsdale man was sentenced last week to over a year in prison for failing to pay the Internal Revenue Service federal income taxes that were withheld from employees.

11 hours ago

Sponsored Articles

Home moving relocation in Arizona 2023...

BMS Moving

Tips for making your move in Arizona easier

If you're moving to a new home in Arizona, use this to-do list to alleviate some stress and ensure a smoother transition to your new home.

...

re:vitalize

When most diets fail, re:vitalize makes a difference that shows

Staying healthy and losing weight are things many people in Arizona are conscious of, especially during the summer.

...

DAY & NIGHT AIR CONDITIONING, HEATING AND PLUMBING

Here are the biggest tips to keep your AC bill low this summer

PHOENIX — In Arizona during the summer, having a working air conditioning unit is not just a pleasure, but a necessity. No one wants to walk from their sweltering car just to continue to be hot in their home. As the triple digits hit around the Valley and are here to stay, your AC bill […]

Arizona health department alters hospital bed availability reporting