Case Study: Banner Health reduces ICU holds by 68% and cuts labor costs with Cerner Clairvia Outcomes Driven Acuity

Banner Health leverages Clairvia data to drive business decisions, reducing holds outside the ICU

Banner Thunderbird Medical Center (BTMC) in Glendale, Ariz., implemented Cerner Clairvia Outcomes Driven Acuity to better align patient needs with levels of care. The system immediately revealed that many patients in the ICU and Progressive Care Unit were assigned to units that did not match their acuity, creating inefficiencies and bed‑placement challenges, including patients held outside the ICU for lack of appropriate beds.

Using Clairvia acuity data, BTMC created a dedicated 20‑bed Intermediate Care Unit (IMCU) with targeted policies, training and monitoring equipment; the unit opened in May 2015. The change reduced reported holds outside the ICU by 68%, raised average ICU acuity as lower‑acuity patients moved to the IMCU, delivered strong patient experience (85% would recommend), and produced labor‑cost savings estimated at $156,000 in 2015 and about $810,000 in 2016, while informing ongoing staffing and budget redesign.

Banner Health

Jesse Wagner

Vice President, Quality and Safety