COLORADO CORONAVIRUS: Capacity problems escalate in Colorado hospitals due to COVID-19, highest level of transmission level activated
DENVER (KDVR) – The Colorado Hospital Association says state hospitals and healthcare systems have been moved to the highest level available to handle patient transfers as hospital capacity concerns grow due to COVID-19.
CHA said the combined hospital transfer center was reactivated to level 1 in August when COVID-19 admissions began to rise. On Wednesday, the CHTC was moved to Tier 3, the highest available level.
Hospital admissions are at their highest level this year in Colorado, with only 900 hospital beds available across the state as of Monday.
As part of the CHTC, both COVID-19 and non-COVID-19 patients can be transferred from a hospital that does not have enough capacity or needs to move patients to another level of care.
“This is an extraordinary step taken by state hospitals and healthcare systems,” said Darlene Tad-y, MD, CHA vice president of clinical affairs. “Even when it’s under tremendous pressure, the state’s health care system continues to work with each other and our partners in the state to ensure the best possible care is available to any Coloradan who needs it. But activating Tier 3 by CHTC should send a clear message to Colorado: our health care system is in danger of being overwhelmed. “
Tier 3 of the CHTC escalates the reach of the transfer center from an individual hospital or regional level to the state-wide level, creating a single point of contact for any hospital in the state that needs to transfer patients due to capacity issues.
CHA said this transfer system is two-way, allowing hospitals to load capacity by sending sick patients to medical centers with more specialized care resources and relocating healing patients to hospitals with available space and staff.
“Our frontline healthcare professionals and hospitals need everyone’s help to get through this. Continue to wash your hands, wear a mask, and keep an eye on your distance when you are out in public and, if you are able, get a COVID-19 vaccine.It is also crucial that individuals continue to seek health care at the right level, at the right time and in the right place.The best solution to our capacity problems right now is to lower the number of COVID-19- admissions, and we need the help of all Coloradans to do that, ”Tad-y shared.
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