GREENWOOD VILLAGE, COLO. – Aug. 27, 2021 – Colorado hospitals and health systems have reactivated Tier 1 of the Combined Hospital Transfer Center (CHTC) to help transfer patients during Colorado’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic. With the increased transmission of the Delta variant this summer, COVID-19 hospitalizations have been on a significant increase over the past several weeks in Colorado. Some hospitals in the state have started to report capacity and staffing concerns with the current and projected case levels.

As part of the CHTC, patients can be transferred from a hospital that doesn’t have enough capacity or needs to move patients for a different level of care. Transfers from the CHTC will be completed through a data-driven process that ensures patients can access the level of care needed while making the most efficient use of the health care system and protecting the system for future capacity challenges.

Tier 1 of the CHTC utilizes existing relationships and create a “transfer partnership” between rural and independent hospitals and urban hospitals/health systems that allows for appropriate patient transfers and clinical resources to assist with the management of patients at the smaller facility. Colorado hospitals and health systems activated Tier 1 of the CHTC in November 2020 to deal with a surge of COVID-19 patients during that time. It was later deactivated in February 2021 after the COVID-19 vaccines began to roll out and hospitalizations subsequently declined. To date, Colorado hospitals had not reached the triggers set in the plan to activate subsequent tiers of the CHTC.

“Throughout the pandemic, Colorado hospitals have worked collaboratively to ensure that they had sufficient space, staff, and supplies to provide care for all Coloradans who needed it,” said Darlene Tad-y, MD, CHA vice president of clinical affairs. “The CHTC helps us efficiently use all the resources available in our hospitals throughout the state to provide lifesaving care for Coloradans who need it. At a time when we don’t know how large this surge may be or how long it may last, this type of resource will be crucial to our response.

“Fortunately, there is more that we can do to change the course of this current surge. The rising hospitalizations are largely preventable, as vaccines have been proven to protect Coloradans from severe illness and hospitalization from COVID-19, including the Delta variant. We urge all Coloradans to get vaccinated and to follow guidance to continue to wear a mask and social distance. We are depending on you – please help us stop the spread of COVID-19 in Colorado.”

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.

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