Colorado Hospitals Deactivate the Combined Hospital Transfer Center as COVID-19 Hospitalizations Continue to Decline

GREENWOOD VILLAGE, COLO. – Feb. 4, 2021 – As statewide totals of COVID-19 hospitalizations continue to decline, Colorado hospitals and health systems have made the decision to deactivate the Combined Hospital Transfer Center (CHTC). Tier 1of the CHTC was activated in November 2020, following a significant increase in COVID-19 hospitalizations that led to hospital capacity and staffing concerns. Colorado hospitals did not reach the triggers set in the plan to activate subsequent tiers of the CHTC.

Tier 1 of the CHTC utilized existing relationships and created a “transfer partnership” between smaller and rural hospitals and larger medical centers to facilitate patient transfers and clinical resources to assist with the management of patients at smaller facilities. Using the CHTC, patients were transferred from a hospital that did not have enough capacity or needed to move patients for a different level of care. During its activation, more than 800 COVID-19 patients were transferred.

All the processes developed through the CHTC can be reactivated quickly, if Colorado sees another surge of COVID-19 hospitalizations.

“Colorado hospitals have shown an incredible willingness to work together throughout the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Darlene Tad-y, MD, CHA vice president of clinical affairs. “The CHTC is just the latest example of hospitals and health systems partnering with each other to ensure that their patients and communities have access to the health care they need when they need it. Our ability to deactivate the CHTC stems from Coloradans’ willingness to do what they knew they should to help control the spread of the virus. There is finally a light at the end of the tunnel with the vaccine distribution continuing, but we must all continue to wear our masks, wash our hands, watch our distance, and wait until it’s safer to gather with others.”

About Colorado Hospital Association

Colorado Hospital Association (CHA) is the leading voice of Colorado’s hospital and health system community. Representing more than 100 member hospitals and health systems throughout the state, CHA serves as a trusted, credible and reliable resource on health issues, hospital data and trends for its members, media, policymakers and the general public. Through CHA, Colorado’s hospitals and health systems work together in their shared commitment to improve health and health care in Colorado. Learn more at www.cha.com.

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