In Colorado's mountain towns, high altitude presents a unique challenge in treating coronavirus

Hospitals in Colorado’s mountain communities are transporting critically ill patients — and in some cases those at risk of becoming so sick — to facilities at lower elevations, hoping the move will ease their respiratory symptoms caused by the new coronavirus.

Medical facilities in Gunnison, Pitkin and Summit counties can treat patients with the new coronavirus, but have fewer intensive care beds, doctors, nurses and other resources. So they are moving patients who are on, or likely to need, ventilators to larger facilities that can provide a higher level of care for a longer period of time.

The doctors also hope that by going to lower altitudes, their patients will need less supplemental oxygen.

“We’re doing what we can to help with preparing to care for more ICU patients in the future, in the near future,” said Dr. Jason Hogan, emergency medicine physician at Gunnison Valley Health.

Read more: https://www.reporterherald.com/2020/04/06/colorado-altitude-coronavirus-patients/
(Loveland Reporter-Herald)