Oregon State Hospital receives federal statement of deficiencies in wake of 2 patient deaths, must submit plan of correction

SALEM, Ore. (KTVZ) -- The Oregon State Hospital said Monday it has received a statement of deficiencies from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services following a survey that was prompted by a patient death in May. Surveyors also reviewed a second patient death that occurred in November of 2023. 

The deficiencies identified in the report relate to continuous rounds and viability checks; patient monitoring; screening of visitors; supervision of patient visits with family and friends; and quality of incident investigation and response, the state institution said.

OSH has 10 calendar days to respond with a Plan of Correction (PoC). 

“We have been entrusted with the care of some of Oregon’s most vulnerable residents. Their safety and well-being are our top priority,” said Interim Superintendent and Chief Medical Officer, Sara Walker, M.D. “We will continue to make the changes necessary to protect our patients.” 

Once CMS approves the PoC, they will conduct another unannounced survey to review implementation. OSH is expecting an unannounced verification survey encompassing four separate PoCs before a termination date of Oct. 24.