Behind the Scenes of Patient Transfers at Gunnison Valley Health

As a critical access hospital, Gunnison Valley Health (GVH) is equipped with 24/7 hospitalist services, board-certified emergency physicians, orthopedic and general surgery teams, anesthesia support, an on-call lab, a CT scanner and on-call respiratory technicians. This comprehensive setup enables the hospital to address many critical emergency conditions with expert care and precision. However, when patients require highly specialized treatments, transfers to other facilities ensure the best outcome for the patient. At GVH, providing exceptional care means knowing when a patient’s needs require resources beyond what the hospital can provide, and coordinating access to that care along with transport and stabilization. 

"We’re proud to manage a wide range of critical conditions and emergencies with our incredible staff here, but transferring patients to another facility for a higher level of care is sometimes the safest and most appropriate option for the patient," explains Gina Lambert, the Trauma Nurse Coordinator at Gunnison Valley Health. “Our medical experts work hard to keep patients within their community but always prioritize the patient's care.” 

Some of the reasons a patient may be transferred are cases with multiple system trauma requiring an Intensive Care Unit (ICU), complex surgical interventions beyond what we offer at our critical access hospital or those patients who require a specialty for their trauma related injury that is not available at Gunnison Valley Health. All of these cases may lead to the patient benefiting from a transfer to a facility equipped with an ICU or a location with different specialty services available to ensure all care needs are met for the patient.

When the emergency department identifies that a patient needs to be transferred, a coordinated process begins. The team works quickly to consult with specialists at potential receiving facilities and finds the closest, most appropriate option for their needs. Once a transfer has been accepted, GVH arranges transport, stabilizes the patient for travel and ensures that all medical information is effectively communicated between facilities. 

"Our trauma patients are transferred within an average of three hours, well below the state-mandated six-hour window," Gina notes. This efficiency underscores the hospital’s commitment to timely and effective care for all of our patients. 

Factors such as weather, transport availability and the capacity of the receiving facility can add complexity to the process of a transfer. However, GVH’s team is adept at navigating these challenges to ensure patient safety and seamless care transitions. Even with factors such as severe weather, which can prohibit an ambulance or emergency flight, GVH’s team navigates the challenges and provides the best available care to its patients. 

GVH maintains strong partnerships with regional facilities such as St. Mary’s Medical Center in Grand Junction and with facilities on the front range. These collaborations not only facilitate efficient transfers but also support ongoing education for GVH staff. Trauma experts think of it as a team sport, where all facilities and trauma teams in the state work together to ensure the best outcomes for all patients. Training sessions, case reviews and resources are shared by and with these facilities help ensure that GVH remains equipped with the latest knowledge and practices. 

At GVH, every decision prioritizes the patient’s well-being. While the hospital’s goal is to provide as much care locally as possible, and keep people in the community, transfers are an essential component of ensuring patient safety.  

"Our focus is always on delivering the best possible care," says Gina. "When a transfer is necessary, it’s always about doing what’s best for the patient’s health and recovery."