Garfield County hospitals see more transfers of COVID patients from out of county, limiting bed availability

Both Garfield County hospitals have seen an increase in the number of new COVID-19 patients over the past week, but many of those patients come from outside the county.

On November 3, the Colorado Hospital Association moved hospitals and state health systems to the highest level of activation, increasing the number of patient transfers between hospitals to help manage hospital capacity across the country. State, according to a Garfield County press release.

As a result, Western Slope hospitals are feeling the pressure of a statewide system reaching crisis level in terms of bed capacity.

“Unfortunately, we find ourselves in the same situation as many Front Range hospitals when it comes to bed availability and hospital capacity,” said Dr Kevin Coleman, Chief Medical Officer of Grand River Health in Rifle, in the communicated.

“We are working in partnership with all of our neighboring hospitals and working on how best to serve our communities and our patients,” he said. “Our providers have struggled to find a suitable placement for some people when care is needed.”

Garfield County Public Health on Tuesday was regular only four Garfield County residents who were hospitalized.

But both Grand River and Valley View Hospital in Glenwood Springs have had significantly more COVID-19-related hospitalizations over the past week.

Valley View has reported 12 new hospitalizations since November 2. Likewise, Grand River has seen four new hospitalizations related to COVID-19 since this hour last week.

Hospitals in the region routinely transfer patients to larger hospital systems when a higher level of care is required. But, with near-crisis-level bed capacities statewide, patients with less severe symptoms are now being transferred, Coleman said.

This is the first time since the start of the pandemic that patients have been transferred to Rifle Hospital from areas outside the county, he said.

Meanwhile, Garfield County Public Health has been informed that in some cases patients with life-threatening illnesses wait up to a full day to be seen or transferred to a facility that can provide the necessary level of care, according to the press release.

In Garfield County, the number of new deaths among county residents has increased by eight in the past five weeks.

Daily cases of COVID-19 also dropped from 11 September 2 to November 30. And the latest seven-day total was 136 new cases.

“Hospital capacity constraints aren’t just affecting the Front Range,” Garfield County Public Health Nurse Sara Brainard said in the statement. “The problem is also here on the western slope”,

Colorado hospitalizations are at their highest year-round, prompting the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to help address capacity issues in parts of the state.

Garfield County Public Health has also updated its guidelines regarding what to do if people feel sick.

“Now is never a good time to get sick,” Brainard said. “So we all need to do what we can to prevent the spread of germs and viruses. Do what you can to stay away from the healthcare system: wash your hands, consider wearing a mask in crowded areas, and stay home if you feel sick. “

County residents are also still strongly urged to get the COVID-19 vaccine or the booster for those six months away from their last dose. Seasonal flu shots are also strongly advised, she said.

“This will help ease the burden on healthcare and keep space available for unforeseen emergencies,” Brainard said.

In addition to the recalls, Pfizer for ages 5 to 11 and the first and second doses of COVID-19 vaccine, are now available at Garfield County Public Health COVID Clinics.

Senior Journalist / Editor John Stroud can be reached at 970-384-9160 or [email protected].