Tessa Quinn
Arizona hospitals have been facing capacity issues, with some reaching over-capacity. Seasonal variations, such as an influx of visitors during the winter months, typically lead to an increase in hospitalizations, particularly among the elderly population. In addition, the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent waves, such as the Delta variant, have further strained the healthcare system, with hospitals struggling with the surge in patients and staff shortages. The combination of these factors has resulted in Arizona hospitals operating at or near full capacity, with some patients even being transferred to other states.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Hospital capacity in Arizona | 83% |
| ICU bed usage | 90% |
| Beds used by COVID-19 patients | 30% |
| Total inpatient bed usage | 88% |
| Beds used by COVID-19 patients out of total inpatient beds | 26% |
| Percentage of hospitals over capacity | 95-96% |
| Number of patients waiting for a hospital bed | 400+ |
| Percentage of hospitalized patients that are non-COVID patients | 65% |
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What You'll Learn
Seasonal visitors and flu season
Arizona hospitals typically experience an increase in bed occupancy during the winter months. This is due to seasonal visitors, known as ""snowbirds", travelling to Arizona to enjoy the warmer climate, and an increase in flu cases. Ann-Marie Alameddin, President and CEO of the Arizona Hospital and Healthcare Association, highlighted the strain on hospitals during this period, with capacities reaching 95-96% state-wide and some hospitals exceeding their capacity.
The combination of seasonal visitors and flu season poses a significant challenge to Arizona's healthcare system. The influx of retirees and the associated increase in hospitalizations strain resources, as stated by Alameddin. The situation is further exacerbated by the presence of COVID-19, which adds to the usual reasons for hospital admissions during the winter.
In the past, hospitals in Arizona have struggled to manage the increase in patients during the winter. For example, in November 2021, hospitals and ICUs in Arizona faced challenges due to rising COVID-19 cases and staff shortages. Total ICU bed usage reached 90%, with 30% of beds occupied by COVID-19 patients. Similarly, inpatient bed usage was at 88%, of which 26% were COVID-19 patients.
The issue of hospital capacity in Arizona is a pressing concern, and the state has implemented measures to address it. For instance, hospitals are required to maintain at least 20% bed availability to perform elective surgeries. However, the combination of seasonal visitors and flu season, along with the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, continues to strain the state's healthcare system.
The flu season in Arizona typically begins around September or October and can impact individuals of all ages. In 2024, the state experienced an early surge in flu cases, with over 600 confirmed cases by the end of October. The 19 to 49-year-old age group represented the highest proportion of cases, accounting for 37% of the total.
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COVID-19 cases
Arizona has been hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic, with a high number of cases and hospitalizations straining the state's healthcare system. The first confirmed case of COVID-19 in Arizona was announced on January 26, 2020, involving a 20-year-old male student at Arizona State University who had travelled to Wuhan, China. Since then, Arizona has seen multiple surges in COVID-19 cases, with the virus spreading throughout the state.
In March 2020, community spread was confirmed in Arizona, and by mid-March, there were nine confirmed cases in the state. The state saw a significant increase in cases in July 2020, with the seven-day moving average soaring to 3,249 cases by July 15. On July 8, Arizona reported as many new cases as the entire European Union, despite having a much smaller population. This surge in cases led to increased pressure on hospitals, with ICU bed usage reaching high levels.
During the winter of 2020-2021, Arizona experienced another surge in COVID-19 cases, with January 2021 seeing record-high numbers of new cases and hospitalizations. Hospitals in Arizona typically see an increase in bed usage during the winter months due to an influx of seasonal visitors and more cases of the flu. However, the added burden of COVID-19 cases further strained the state's healthcare system. Ann-Marie Alameddin, President and CEO of the Arizona Hospital and Healthcare Association, stated that hospital capacity across Arizona was incredibly strained, with some hospitals already over capacity.
As of May 2025, Arizona hospitals were reported to be at 83% capacity, up from 78% the previous day. This high occupancy rate raised concerns about the ability to handle new COVID-19 cases without entering crisis mode. The state has also faced staffing shortages in hospitals due to the pandemic, further compounding the challenges.
The COVID-19 pandemic in Arizona has had a significant impact on the Navajo Nation, with poor health, limited access to essential services, and food insecurity exacerbating the challenges of dealing with the virus. As of July 2025, Arizona was among the states with the highest COVID-19 test positivity rates during the "stratus" variant wave, indicating ongoing community transmission and active spread of the virus.
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Staff shortages
Arizona hospitals are facing a dire shortage of healthcare workers, driven by increasing outbreaks of the Omicron variant. The head of Banner Health, Dr. Marjorie Bessel, warned that hospitals in the state are at the "'brink of collapse". After a slight dip in cases over the holidays, hospitals are facing a surge of COVID-19 patients, with nearly 90% of patients unvaccinated. COVID-19 patients have filled nearly one-third of all inpatient beds.
Bessel also noted that Banner Health is facing a shortage of Sotrovimab, a treatment for COVID-19. While two oral antivirals, Paxlovid and Molnupiravir, have become available, they are in limited supply and distributed only at retail pharmacies. The shortage of treatments further exacerbates the strain on hospitals and healthcare workers.
The nursing staff shortage is due to several factors. Some nurses are choosing not to take shifts, despite cash bonuses, because they fear contracting COVID-19 or transmitting it to their families. The highly contagious nature of the Omicron variant has resulted in more healthcare workers becoming infected or having to isolate due to exposure, further depleting staff numbers. In addition, the emotional and physical toll of the pandemic on healthcare workers cannot be overstated. As one nursing assistant put it, "We're tired. We're exhausted."
To address the staff shortage, Banner Health has been hiring more medical personnel, including retirees, training more nurses in ICU care, and bringing in nurses from out of state. However, they still need to hire 900 more people to run smoothly during the current spike. Bessel warned that Banner faced a shortage of Sotrovimab treatment, and while two oral antivirals have become available, they are in limited supply and not available at Banner Family Pharmacy.
The situation in Arizona hospitals is critical, and the state is racing to hire more workers to keep up with the surge in COVID-19 cases. The combination of increasing patient numbers, staff shortages, and limited treatments has put Arizona hospitals on the brink of collapse.
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Elective surgeries
Arizona hospitals have been facing capacity issues, with beds at 83% capacity, up from 78% the previous day, according to state data. Hospitals in Arizona typically experience an increase in bed usage during the winter months due to an influx of seasonal visitors and more cases of the flu. The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated this issue, with hospitals struggling to accommodate the rise in hospitalizations.
In response to the strain on hospital capacity, Governor Ducey issued an executive order in April 2020 regarding elective surgeries. The order stated that hospitals could only resume elective surgeries if they met certain criteria, including having at least 20% of their beds available and demonstrating a sufficient supply of personal protective equipment (PPE). Hospitals were also required to implement a universal symptom screening process for staff, patients, and visitors, as well as enhanced cleaning processes for waiting areas.
The University of Arizona has published perioperative guidelines for elective surgery in human immunodeficiency virus-positive patients, emphasizing the importance of thorough preoperative evaluations and addressing concerns about infection transmission. Arizona is also the only state that specifically mentions considering the health and age of the patient when determining the elective nature of a procedure.
The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on elective surgeries in Arizona has been significant. Hospitals have had to navigate ambiguous guidelines and make difficult decisions about postponing or resuming surgeries. The availability of COVID-19 testing and personal protective equipment has been a critical factor in determining when it is safe to resume elective surgeries.
Overall, the hospital capacity in Arizona and the guidelines surrounding elective surgeries have been in flux due to the challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic and seasonal fluctuations in bed usage.
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ICU bed capacity
Arizona has one of the lowest rates of ICU beds per capita in the United States. According to a study by QuoteWizard, Arizona has 0.26 intensive care beds per 1,000 people, which is below the national average of 0.32. The state typically has around 1,000 ICU beds and nearly 3,000 regular beds available. However, during the COVID-19 pandemic, ICU bed capacity in Arizona has been consistently low, with only 8% of ICU beds open statewide in December 2020. In June 2024, about a quarter of ICU beds were available, and in January 2024, ICU beds reached 90% capacity.
The low ICU bed capacity in Arizona has been a cause for concern during the COVID-19 pandemic. In June 2024, Bessel from Banner Health provided data showing that the number of Banner patients on ventilators had tripled in less than two weeks. At that time, the Department of Health Services reported that the number of people hospitalized with COVID-19 hit a record of 1,234. Bessel warned that if the trend continued, hospitals would no longer be able to perform elective surgeries.
In December 2020, hospital inpatient and ICU bed usage numbers had been rising in Arizona since the beginning of October. Public health experts at the University of Arizona projected a hospital "catastrophe," as ICU bed usage for COVID-19 patients had risen by 97% in the past three weeks, with total ICU bed usage at 92% capacity. The increase in hospitalizations was attributed to the easing of stay-at-home orders and the state's already-low capacity.
To address the low ICU bed capacity, state and federal plans were implemented to increase hospital capacity in Arizona. In March 2020, Governor Doug Ducey issued an executive order directing hospitals to increase their capacity by 25% by April 10. The Army Corps of Engineers also identified facilities in Tucson that could be converted into emergency hospitals if needed.
The Arizona Department of Health Services and hospital officials have implemented measures to manage the low ICU bed capacity. In June 2024, Dr. Cara Christ from the Arizona Department of Health Services stated that hospitals could handle a surge in cases by increasing staffing, bringing in volunteers, and delaying or canceling elective surgeries. Hospital officials have emphasized their ability to make rapid adjustments and activate surge plans to increase capacity.
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Frequently asked questions
Hospital capacity in Arizona has been a concern, especially during the winter months and flu season. In December 2021, hospitals were at around 95-96% capacity, with some over capacity.
Seasonal factors, such as an increase in winter visitors and flu season, typically lead to higher hospital occupancy. The COVID-19 pandemic and staff shortages have further strained hospital capacity.
COVID-19 cases, along with other respiratory illnesses, have contributed to hospital capacity issues in Arizona. During the pandemic, hospitals faced challenges due to increased hospitalizations and the need for additional resources and staff.
To preserve resources and ensure patient care, hospitals have implemented measures such as halting elective surgeries when bed occupancy exceeds 80%. Hospitals also conduct furloughs, pay cuts, and other savings measures to manage capacity.
Reaching maximum hospital capacity can lead to compromised patient care and increased stress on healthcare providers. In some cases, patients may need to be transferred to other states, and there may be delays in receiving treatment.
