OHA uncovers latest report highlighting issues at Oregon’s psychiatric hospital

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — Oregon State Hospital has less than two months to prove it is now in compliance with federal standards and maintain its Medicare agreement.

The state’s public health leaders have uncovered a survey they conducted at the Salem behavioral health facility on Apr. 29. According to the 247-page document, investigators found OSH “was not in substantial compliance” with several regulations related to its governing body, patient rights and special provisions for psychiatric hospitals.

The survey came after a patient’s death in March, which led to the Joint Commission conducting its own report and temporarily stripping the facility of its accreditation. The Oregon Health Authority’s newly released investigation shows that several staff members told surveyors that executive leadership “largely ignored and dismissed” warnings and complaints about safety at the hospital.

OHA’s statement of deficiencies also alleged employees were “coached” on what to say during the probe from officials. Any corrective actions that were established in response to the survey were soon discontinued, the document shows.

“This report is a clarion call for the need for the immediate changes being implemented now that will have impact to assure that patients at OSH are safe and receiving the care they need and deserve,” OHA Deputy Director Dave Baden, who is the hospital’s active superintendent as of April 11, said in a statement. “Sustained and ongoing cultural changes at the hospital will take time. We need to improve our processes in support of not only patients in seclusion or high-risk patients, but every patient at OSH.”

The public health agency’s report also includes a letter from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. According to CMS’ health insurance specialist, the Oregon psychiatric facility’s Medicare agreement is currently set to terminate on Aug. 4.

This means that Medicare won’t cover services for patients admitted on or after that date. Patients admitted ahead of the deadline could still receive payment for another 30 days.

Federal officials said the termination would only be averted if the facility created a plan of correction, which was due on June 2.

According to Baden, OSH has already paused telework for patient-facing staff and required leadership to regularly visit units in order to help employees serve the hospital.