Last week the ADHS announced that they’ve authorized “Crisis Standards of Care” within our hospital systems. The declaration allows for statewide triage protocols when the demand for healthcare exceeds the ability to provide care using normal standards of care.
Arizona is the only state to have made such a declaration and this is the first time it has ever been made in Arizona. See last week’s blog post to see how patients will be prioritized when Crisis Standards of Care are being used.
Here’s the document that officially activates the new crisis care standards for patient triage and prioritization. Now that we’re under the crisis standard, there are civil liability protections for healthcare providers and institutions who are following the approved Triage Protocol.
Hospitals are also urged to: 1) activate tactics identified in the Arizona Crisis Standards of Care; 2) prepare for surge; 3) limit surgeries; 4) activate hospital incident command; and 4) establish regular communication with local health jurisdiction.
These measures have become necessary because of the tremendous community spread of the virus in AZ and the resulting surge of patients into AZ hospitals.
