When support is needed, REACH.
AZ REACH is a voluntary, free 24/7 service that coordinates acute medical care transfers out of eligible hospitals across Arizona.
One call. We take it from there.
Referring teams make one call. Our coordinators handle the rest.
1
We find the bed
We make the placement calls and follow up until your patient is placed.
2
We connect practitioners
We connect practitioners so your team can stay at the bedside.
3
We match the specialty
We go to your preferred destination, or start with the closest available facility that has the specialty your patient needs.
4
We report back
We give referring hospitals reporting on their transfer trends and unmet needs.
Impact at a glance
23,762
transfer requests coordinated
90%
accepted (21,360 requests)
1.5 hrs
median time to secure placement
30+
hospitals eligible to use AZ REACH across Arizona.
As of Sept. 30, 2026, program to date since Dec. 13, 2022. Source: AZ REACH Quarterly Report, Q1 FY2026-27.
Born from the Arizona Surge Line
AZ REACH grew out of the Arizona Surge Line, the centralized transfer center that load-leveled Arizona hospitals and moved patients to the care they needed during the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2022, the Arizona Poison and Drug Information Center (AZPDIC) at the University of Arizona developed AZ REACH so rural hospitals could keep that support for every condition, not just COVID.
2020–2022: COVID-19 Pandemic
The Arizona Surge Line optimizes COVID-19 transfers and balances patient loads across Arizona hospitals.
December 2022
AZ REACH begins coordinating transfers for rural, tribal and critical access hospitals.
2024
AZ REACH passes 10,000 patient transfer referrals.
2026
AZ REACH passes 20,000 patient transfer referrals.
Latest news
Feb. 17, 2026
AZ REACH passes 20,000 transfer referrals
Aug. 19, 2025