GREENWOOD VILLAGE, COLO. – Feb. 3, 2022 – As statewide totals of COVID-19 hospitalizations continue to decline from the Omicron peak, Colorado hospitals and health systems have made the decision to lower the activation level for the Combined Hospital Transfer Center (CHTC). At the start of November 2021, the CHTC activated at Tier 3, the highest and most coordinated level to help facilitate patient transfers across the state. Starting this week, the CHTC will move to Tier 2.

Tier 2 of the CHTC continues existing relationships between smaller and rural hospitals and larger medical centers and health systems to facilitate bi-directional COVID-19 and non-COVID patient transfers to maximize use of clinical resources and staff across regions of the state. This differs from Tier 3 that used this system to facilitate transfers across the state as a whole.

“The CHTC has been one of the most important tools to help our hospitals and health systems manage their capacity during our most recent Delta and Omicron surges,” said Darlene Tad-y, MD, CHA vice president of clinical affairs. “This close coordination of our hospitals ensures that their patients and communities have access to care, even in the midst of incredible strain on our health care system. We are hopeful that we will continue to see a decline in our COVID-19 hospitalizations, allowing us to move our focus on providing essential care to our community members, including many who may have deferred care earlier in the pandemic, and providing support for our health care workforce who have fought so valiantly in this ongoing battle with COVID-19.”

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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