Memorial Hospital no longer cleared to treat most serious of pediatric trauma cases

Memorial Hospital says it has voluntarily released its trauma waiver from the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment.

The hospital says the change means the most complex pediatric trauma cases the hospital sees will now be transferred to hospitals in the Denver area.

University of Colorado Health operates Memorial. UCH spokesperson Dan Weaver says the hospital sees fewer than 10 such cases per month.

The Colorado Springs Gazette reports that the change follows a two month investigation by the state and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.

University of Colorado Health denies the change has anything to do with an investigation. It says the change is to streamline service.

KRDO NewsChannel 13 is working to get more information about what prompted the change.

UCH also said Wednesday that Memorial Hospital and Children’s Hospital Colorado are changing their underlying business arrangement. It says that as of June 13, kids who are treated at Memorial will technically be Memorial Hospital patients, not Children’s Colorado Hospital patients as they are now.

UCH says Children’s Colorado nurses and staff members will continue to care for patients at Memorial as contracted employees.

Children’s Hospital Colorado employs nearly 500 people in Colorado Springs and UCH says none of those employees will lose their jobs.