Banner – University Medical Center South Campus: A Comprehensive Overview

Banner - University Medical Center South, formerly known as Kino Community Hospital, University Physicians Healthcare Hospital, and University of Arizona Medical Center - South Campus, stands as an academic medical center committed to providing exceptional patient care, educating future health care professionals, and conducting groundbreaking research. This institution plays a vital role in the healthcare landscape of Southern Arizona and beyond. The medical center strives to bring quality care within reach of more Southern Arizonans.

History and Affiliations

Originally founded as Kino Community Hospital, the institution has undergone several transformations, reflecting its evolving role within the healthcare system. Today, Banner - University Medical Center South is an integral part of Banner - University Medicine, an enterprise that serves as a clinical partner to the University of Arizona College of Medicine.

Banner - University Medical Center Tucson (BUMCT) serves as the primary clinical partner for the University of Arizona Health Sciences' (UAHS) numerous multidisciplinary institutes and centers for excellence. Adjacent and interrelated to BUMCT is the Arizona Cancer Center, an NCI cancer research and treatment facility. The medical center serves as the site of the programs' numerous clinical trials.

Banner - University Medical Center Tucson (BUMCT), formerly University Medical Center and the University of Arizona Medical Center, is a private, non-profit, 649-bed acute-care teaching hospital located on the campus of the University of Arizona in Tucson, Arizona. BUMCT is the clinical partner of the University of Arizona College of Medicine - Tucson and is Southern Arizona's only trauma center for both adult and pediatric patients. BUMCT is one of two University of Arizona affiliated academic medical centers in Tucson with Banner - University Medical Center South (formerly Kino Community Hospital, University Physicians Healthcare Hospital, and University of Arizona Medical Center - South Campus) being the other such institution.

The 2011 name change to the University of Arizona Medical Center (UAMC) reflected the need to combine all University of Arizona affiliated medical services: University Medical Center, University Physicians Healthcare, and the College of Medicine. As part of the merger between UAHN and Banner Health, the latter committed $500 million towards the construction of a new hospital and nearby outpatient clinic building.

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Services and Facilities

Banner - University Medical Center South is a comprehensive medical center that offers a wide range of services, including:

Emergency Department: Providing timely and effective care for patients with serious illnesses or injuries. The average time spent in the emergency room is 210 minutes.
State-Designated Trauma Center: Offering specialized care for both adult and pediatric patients.
Behavioral Health Pavilion: Addressing the mental health needs of the community.
Services for Healthsystem Elders: Providing specialized care for older adults.
Comprehensive Medical Center: Offering a wide array of medical specialties and services.

Commitment to the Community

The medical center is deeply invested in the well-being of the community it serves. Its skilled physicians and nurses donate their time to provide free screenings, health fairs, and participate in community events as a way to increase awareness and educate the public. This dedication reflects a long-treasured commitment to the people of Arizona.

Recognition and Awards

Banner - University Medical Center South has been recognized by U.S. News & World Report for 2025-2026 as High Performing for heart failure and pneumonia.

Payment and Insurance

The medical center accepts most major insurance plans. Patients are encouraged to check their individual plans for specific details. Payment of the patient's portion of the bill is requested at the time of the visit. Accepted forms of payment include Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Discover, and personal checks. Note that many locations no longer accept cash or personal checks, so it is advisable to verify the preferred payment method before a visit.

Academic and Research Focus

As an academic medical center, Banner - University Medical Center South is dedicated to teaching future health care professionals and conducting groundbreaking research. This commitment to education and innovation is fundamental to the future of world-class care. The institution serves as a clinical training site for medical students, residents, and fellows, contributing to the development of a skilled healthcare workforce. The presence of internationally renowned experts further enhances the learning environment and drives advancements in medical knowledge.

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Quality and Patient Experience

The hospital is constantly working to improve the quality of care and patient experience. The patient survey ratings summarize patient experience, which is one aspect of hospital quality. A low rating doesn't mean that you'll get poor care from a hospital. It means that hospitals that got 2 or more stars performed better on this particular measure of patient experience of care. The patient survey rating measures patients' experiences of their hospital care.

Key Quality Measures

Several key quality measures are tracked to ensure the best possible patient outcomes:

Unplanned Hospital Visits: Monitoring readmission rates to reduce disruptions in patients' lives and minimize the risk of harmful events.
Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAIs): Implementing proper procedures and precautions to prevent infections acquired during treatment.
Serious Complications: Following best practices to prevent serious complications during hospital stays and after surgical procedures.
Sepsis Management: Identifying sepsis early and initiating appropriate care quickly to increase survival chances.
Efficient Emergency Care: Providing timely and effective care in the emergency department to improve patient outcomes.

Financial Information

The charge-to-cost ratio is calculated as a hospital's total gross charges divided by its total Medicare-allowable cost. The payment for heart attack, heart failure, and pneumonia measures add up all payments made for care starting the day the patient enters the hospital and continuing for the next 30 days. The payment for hip/knee replacement measure adds up payments starting the day the patient enters the hospital and continuing for the next 90 days. Looking at how payments vary is one way to see differences in how hospitals and other healthcare providers care for patients.

Historical Significance: The Gabby Giffords Shooting

Banner - University Medical Center Tucson played a crucial role in the aftermath of the tragic shooting of Congresswoman Gabby Giffords on January 8, 2011. Giffords was promptly evacuated by helicopter to this facility after suffering a single gunshot wound to the head. Giffords underwent emergency surgery by doctor Peter M. Rhee to save her life and many attribute her survival to the swift actions of the university's doctors. After her condition improved, doctors deemed her safe to travel so that she could begin speech, physical, and occupational therapy. Giffords was flown by plane to Houston's Memorial Hermann Medical Center on January 21, 2011, to continue therapy.

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