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 set up the practitioner-to-practitioner call 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 send referring hospitals reports 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 Indian Health Service, tribally operated (PL 93-638) 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