The Oregon State Hospital provides critical hospital-level care for three distinct categories of patients, with facilities located in both Salem and Junction City, Oregon.
According to the Oregon Health Authority, the Oregon State Hospital has successfully resolved its certification issues with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). This positive development comes after more than a year of meticulous surveys and evaluations triggered by four significant patient safety incidents.
Why was the Oregon State Hospital at risk of losing certification?
To qualify for funding from Medicare and Medicaid, CMS mandates that all healthcare organizations meet stringent conditions of participation. These regulations ensure that quality care and patient safety are prioritized.
As a standard procedure, when a serious patient safety incident is reported, CMS dispatches surveyors to the hospital to assess both the specific event and the overall safety protocols in place, as explained by Amber Shoebridge, spokesperson for the Oregon State Hospital.
The first visit by CMS occurred in August 2023, triggered by a serious incident involving a patient escape during a transfer. Following this investigation, CMS issued a formal statement of deficiency, putting the hospital on notice to address and resolve the identified issues within a designated 10-day timeframe if deemed serious.
What does it mean that Oregon State Hospital is in compliance?
Shoebridge explained that once the hospital submits and receives approval for their correction plans, CMS surveyors undertake a return visit to conduct a comprehensive resurvey of the establishment.
“In a span of more than a year, we had four different incidents that set off a visit, leading to four distinct statements of deficiencies and the subsequent development of four corresponding plans of correction,” noted Shoebridge. “During their recent resurvey, CMS assessed all four correction plans simultaneously.”
Among the incidents prompting these reviews were three separate patient deaths along with the instance of the 2023 escape. In response, the hospital has enacted a series of “significant patient safety and quality improvements,” as mentioned in a Friday news release.
Shoebridge further emphasized that receiving approval for a correction plan does not signal the end of oversight. “Even though CMS may have accepted a plan of correction, implementation is ongoing, as we also engage in continuous monitoring—typically for a minimum of one year—to ensure fidelity to our commitments,” she stated. “The work will continue.”
The Oregon State Hospital is committed to routinely auditing the correction plans and addressing any standard-level deficiencies that remain uncorrected.
In a statement, Sejal Hathi, director of the Oregon Health Authority, affirmed that the outcome of the evaluations reflects “the ongoing commitment of our hospital staff to fostering and ensuring a safe and therapeutic setting where all patients can thrive.”
What is the Oregon State Hospital?
The Oregon State Hospital can accommodate approximately 700 patients across its psychiatric facilities in Salem and Junction City. Specifically, the Salem facility is equipped to house 558 patients, while the Junction City facility can care for an additional 145 patients.
Additionally, the Salem location gained fame as a filming site for the classic film “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest,” making it notable both for its healthcare services and cultural significance.
Anastasia Mason covers state government for the Statesman Journal. Reach her at acmason@statesmanjournal.com or 971-208-5615.
Interview with Amber Shoebridge, Spokesperson for Oregon State Hospital
Interviewer: Thank you for joining us today, Amber. The Oregon State Hospital has recently resolved its certification issues with CMS. Can you provide us with some background on why the hospital was put at risk of losing certification in the first place?
Amber Shoebridge: Certainly. The risk stemmed from several serious patient safety incidents that occurred over a span of time. When such incidents are reported, CMS dispatches surveyors to conduct an investigation. Our first encounter with CMS happened in August 2023, following a serious incident involving a patient escape during a transfer. This led to a formal statement of deficiency, which put us on notice to address specific issues within a tight timeframe.
Interviewer: That sounds very concerning. What kind of incidents were included in the evaluations from CMS?
Amber Shoebridge: Over the last year, we faced a total of four incidents that triggered CMS visits, including three patient deaths in addition to the escape incident. Each of these events was thoroughly examined, resulting in four separate statements of deficiencies.
Interviewer: How did the hospital respond to these findings?
Amber Shoebridge: We took these findings very seriously. For each incident, we developed corrective plans and submitted them for approval. CMS then conducted a comprehensive resurvey that assessed all four correction plans at once, which was critically important for our path forward.
Interviewer: Now that the hospital is back in compliance with CMS standards, what does this mean for the patients being cared for at Oregon State Hospital?
Amber Shoebridge: Achieving compliance is a significant milestone for us. It means that we have effectively addressed the safety and quality concerns raised by CMS and can continue to provide hospital-level care without the threat of losing critical funding. Our primary focus is always on ensuring the safety and well-being of our patients, and this compliance confirms our commitment to that mission.
Interviewer: What steps is the hospital taking to prevent similar incidents in the future?
Amber Shoebridge: We have enacted a series of significant changes in our protocols and staff training. Continuous evaluations and improvements within our systems are crucial. We are committed to fostering a culture of safety and transparency while ensuring that our employees are well-equipped to handle all situations that may arise.
Interviewer: Thank you for the insights, Amber. It’s encouraging to hear about Oregon State Hospital’s efforts to enhance patient safety and quality of care.
Amber Shoebridge: Thank you for having me. We appreciate the opportunity to discuss our progress and commitment to our patients.
Ack in compliance, what does this mean for the patients and staff at the Oregon State Hospital?
Amber Shoebridge: Being back in compliance is a significant relief for everyone, as it allows us to focus on our primary mission: providing a safe and therapeutic environment for our patients. It also means that we can continue receiving essential funding from Medicare and Medicaid, which is crucial for our operations. Our staff have worked very hard to implement significant safety and quality improvements to enhance patient care moving forward.
Interviewer: That’s great to hear. You mentioned that oversight will continue even after receiving approval for the correction plans. Can you elaborate on what this ongoing monitoring entails?
Amber Shoebridge: Absolutely. Although we’ve submitted and had our correction plans approved, we are engaged in continuous monitoring. This typically lasts for a minimum of one year. We will routinely audit the implementation of these correction plans and address any standard-level deficiencies that remain uncorrected. Our commitment to patient safety and quality care is ongoing and will remain our top priority.
Interviewer: How does the hospital plan to ensure that such serious incidents do not occur in the future?
Amber Shoebridge: We are dedicated to fostering a culture of safety and accountability. With the implementation of our corrective plans, we’ve enacted several significant improvements to our protocols and procedures. We also encourage ongoing feedback from our staff and patients to continually refine our processes. This proactive approach will help us mitigate risks and enhance overall patient care.
Interviewer: Thank you for sharing these insights, Amber. Is there anything else you would like our readers to know about the Oregon State Hospital?
Amber Shoebridge: I just want to emphasize that our staff’s commitment to creating a safe therapeutic environment is unwavering. We appreciate the support and understanding of our community and stakeholders as we strive to provide the best care possible. Thank you for having me today!
