Arizona health leaders say hospitals should soon make tough decisions about treating patients with COVID-19, amid growing cases of coronavirus infection crowding intensive care units.
The state’s largest hospital chain, Phoenix-based Banner Health, has suspended elective operations since Friday to free up the ability to treat patients with COVID-19.
The clinical director of Banner Health says triage may be needed soon if the volume of cases continues to rise.
According to triage protocols, patients with a lower chance of suffering from organ failure and a higher chance of living longer are switched primarily to treatment.
Arizona was the first state to break out of the virus, which adopted triage protocols for a period in July, before cases were dropped.