CommonSpirit Health has announced a new partnership between its Penrose Hospital, St. Francis Hospital, and St. Francis Hospital – Interquest with US Acute Care Solutions (USACS) to lead medical care in their Intensive Care Units (ICUs). The collaboration will begin in February 2026 and is aimed at improving patient outcomes and reinforcing the organization’s commitment to high-quality, coordinated care.
Kristi Olson, president of Penrose Hospital, stated, “The decision to partner with USACS for ICU care builds upon a highly successful, five-year collaboration in the hospital’s emergency departments. This established relationship has consistently yielded high-quality, patient-centered care and will now expand to enhance critical care services.”
With this transition, ICUs at these hospitals will shift to a model led by board-certified critical care physicians from USACS. Under this approach, each patient’s inpatient treatment will be directed by a dedicated physician specializing in critical care. According to the announcement, this model aims to make treatment more streamlined and integrated while addressing the needs of an increasing number of patients requiring advanced critical care within the community.
Gina Temple, president of St. Francis Hospital and St. Francis Hospital – Interquest said, “We are confident that this expanded partnership with USACS will bring innovative leadership, further strengthen our clinical teams, and deliver a shared vision for excellence to our Intensive Care Units, ultimately benefiting every patient who comes through our doors. This evolution underscores our unwavering dedication to continuous improvement and ensuring the highest standards of care for our community.”
Previously, ICU coverage was provided by Colorado Springs Pulmonary Consultants (CSPC), whose board-certified pulmonologists handled these responsibilities. CSPC will continue operating its outpatient clinics independently; patients with questions about ongoing outpatient services are encouraged to contact CSPC directly.
Olson added: “The health care landscape is continuously evolving, and so must our strategies. We want to ensure that critical care is available close to home. We are grateful for our partners at Colorado Springs Pulmonology Consultants and the care they have provided our hospitals over the years.”
