Oregon Health Authority seeks public comment on proposed changes to state’s ‘crisis care’ guidance

PORTLAND, Ore. (KTVZ) -- The Oregon Health Authority said Friday it is seeking input from the public on changes to the state’s crisis care guidance, a tool that helps hospitals and health care providers make decisions about life-saving treatments during an emergency based on available resources.

“Oregon learned a lot from the COVID-19 pandemic. OHA continues to prepare for future emergencies based on what we have learned. One of those lessons is the importance of being prepared in case many people need health care at the same time,” said Dana Hargunani, M.D., M.P.H., OHA health policy adviser and the agency’s former chief medical officer.

In emergencies, health care equipment, places and staff may be limited, and it may be necessary to change how health care is provided. During the COVID-19 pandemic, for example, hospitals had to use new spaces, such as medical tents, for clinical care.

OHA Public Health Lead Communications Officer Jonathan Modie explained that the development of crisis care guidance in Oregon began as early as 2010.

"Oregon’s work was informed by federal guidance and growing national attention regarding emergency responses following the H1N1 pandemic and Hurricane Katrina," Modie said. "At the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, the most recent Oregon crisis care guidance had been published in 2018. OHA published new crisis care guidance during the pandemic in 2020 and 2022."

OHA has made the following key changes to Oregon’s crisis care guidance as part of the 2024 update, Modie explained:

• Added a preface and background section,
• Added a statement of goals for crisis care,
• Updated information about triage teams, and
• Revised the crisis care triage approach.

OHA’s goal to eliminate health inequities by 2030 was a key focus in the development of the 2024 Oregon Crisis Care Guidance, the spokesman added.

OHA seeks input from people with diverse views and experiences across Oregon. The agency will consider this feedback before finalizing and publishing the 2024 updated guidance, which is expected by October.

Public comment on the draft guidance is open through Sept. 13 and can be provided in multiple ways. To learn more about how to provide comment, visit the Crisis Care Guidance website, oregon.gov/crisiscareguidance, or email health.security@odhsoha.oregon.gov.

Among the opportunities to provide comment on the draft guidance are three public meetings OHA has scheduled later this month. The meetings will be held virtually for the following stakeholder groups:

• Community-based organizations, Aug. 22, 3:30-5 p.m. Register at https://bit.ly/CCG-Community. Meeting details here.
• Health care providers, Aug. 27, 7:30-9 a.m. Register at https://bit.ly/CCG-Providers. Meeting details here.
• General public, Aug. 28, 4:30-6 p.m. Register at https://bit.ly/CCG-Public. Meeting details here.

Agendas for the public meeting are available at oregon.gov/crisiscareguidance.