SS-24-PHX-018 Interfacility Patient Transfer Service PAIHS

The interfacility transfer service was a novel program initiated in April 2020 in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Indian Health Service’s (IHS) capacity to identify and coordinate interfacility inpatient transfers was severely limited by staffing and physical resources, particularly in rural locations. These limitations highlighted IHS’s need for augmentation provided by industry.

IHS participated in a state-sponsored program led by the Arizona Department of Health Services called The Arizona Surge Line, which facilitated rapid placement and equal distribution of COVID-19 patients across the state’s hospitals to enhance health equity and improve outcomes for vulnerable patients.

When this successful program ended, provision of the service was assumed by the Arizona Resource Equity and Access Coordination Hub (AZ REACH), launched in December 2022. The Arizona Senate, through Senate Bill 1720, allocated funds to extend the use of this program for 2 years, specifically including the Indian Health Service as eligible.

The Phoenix Area IHS (PAIHS) has used this service since inception of the concept at the beginning of the pandemic, and relies heavily on the critical assistance to coordinate interfacility inpatient transfers.

The current state-sponsored program funding via grant ends June 30, 2024, and the PAIHS is seeking to continue use of the service through a federal contract starting July 1, 2024. The AZ REACH service is currently run by the Arizona Poison and Drug Information Center (APDIC), at the University of Arizona (UA).