 |
|
 Overview Superintendent: Greg RobertsOregon State Hospital, with campuses in Salem and Portland, is the state's primary state-run psychiatric facility for adults. The state hospital delivers high-quality inpatient psychiatric and medical care to patients through Forensic Psychiatric Services for patients who are judged guilty except for insanity and Psychiatric Recovery Services for civilly committed patients. OSH's mission is to provide therapeutic, evidence-based, patient-centered treatment focusing on recovery and community reintegration, all in a safe environment. The hospital is accredited by the Joint Commission on the Accreditation of Health Organizations. The History of Oregon State HospitalOregon State Hospital opened in 1883 at its present location in Salem and has played a key role in the state's public mental health services.
For 75 years, the number of patients continued to increase despite the establishment of other state facilities. The patient population peaked in 1958 with 3,545 patients. The numbers declined over the next two decades as Oregon joined the national trend of emphasizing community care over institutional care where possible. By 1979, Oregon State Hospital had fewer than 1,000 patients, and reached a low of 525 in 1977.
The Legislature in 2007 approved a major construction program to replace most of the aged Salem facility with two new structures, one in Salem and another in Junction City. Phased construction began on the Salem site in 2008, with the first patients moving into the new facility in early 2011. The Salem campus will be completed in early 2012. The Junction City facility is projected for completion in 2014. For more information, see the hospital replacement project's website. Organization of Oregon State HospitalOregon State Hospital operates under the direction of the Oregon Health Authority's Addictions and Mental Health Division.
Adults needing intensive psychiatric treatment for severe and persistent mental illness who are civilly or criminally committed to OSH receive treatment at Oregon State Hospital campuses in Salem and Portland, and Blue Mountain Recovery Center in Pendleton.
The current capacity is 655 beds in Salem and Portland. The hospital's 2011-13 budget includes funding for a total of 2,038 employees, up from 1,100 in 2005. Blue Mountain Recovery Center has 60 beds for civilly committed clients from Central and Eastern Oregon.
OSH is funded by both state and federal funds. Patients are billed for cost of their care according to their ability to pay. The 2011-13 budget is approximately $341 million. Oregon State Hospital ProgramsCivil programsPeople who come to Oregon State Hospital through a civil commitment require physically secure 24-hour care that is not available through community programs. They have been found by the court to be a danger to themselves or others, or unable to provide for their own basic needs, such as health and safety, because of a mental disorder. SpringsThe Springs program is for patients who require a hospital level of care for dementia, organic brain injury or mental illness. These patients often have significant medical issues. The program's goal is for everyone to return to a community-care setting. From the day of admission, the treatment team works with the patient toward this goal. Springs uses treatments that include sensory and behavioral therapy such as daily living skills and recreation; coping and problem-solving skills learned through group and individual therapy; and classes or activities in the treatment mall. These patients currently are served by separate programs in Buildings 34 and 35. The Springs program will transfer to the new facility in March 2012.
Adult Treatment Services - PortlandThe Portland campus of Oregon State Hospital currently houses the adult treatment services program for adults who have been civilly committed or voluntarily committed by guardian. Patients each have an individual treatment care plan and attend the treatment mall every weekday. The primary focus of treatment mall programs is to prepare patients to return to the community. Skill-building treatment groups are facilitated by nursing staff, social workers, psychologists, community reintegration specialists, and music, occupational and recreational therapists. Groups help patients learn how to manage their symptoms and medications, develop coping and recreational skills, budget and manage their money, and plan and prepare meals. Community integration is the focus of weekly group trips to community settings. Separate programs provide educational support or psychotherapy and help patients understand and deal with alcohol and other drug abuse and their effects on mental illness.
Forensic programsPeople who come to Oregon State Hospital under a forensic commitment are individuals who have been charged with or convicted of criminal behavior related to their mental illness. Some are referred by the courts under Oregon law (ORS 161.370) for treatment that will help them to understand the criminal charges against them and to assist in their own defense. Others are admitted after they have been found guilty of a crime except for insanity. Depending on the nature of their crime, these patients are under the jurisdiction of either the Psychiatric Security Review Board or the Oregon State Hospital Review Panel. HarborsHarbors is the admissions and stabilization program for the hospital, where patients receive their initial assessments and have their symptoms stabilized. From the first day of their stay, patients begin planning for discharge and eventual transition to the community. They begin meeting with a treatment team within three days of admission to develop a recovery plan that includes classes and activities on the treatment mall, which they are expected to attend every weekday. Length of stay in Harbors varies, depending on each patient's needs. Harbors' goal is to evaluate, stabilize and move each patient to a less restrictive program within 21 to 30 days.
TrailsPatient continue in their recovery by transferring to Trails, the hospital's community rehabilitation program for forensics patients, after being assessed and stabilized in Harbors. Trails offers many more choices for patients, including more options for treatment, free time and meals. These additional choices help patients build on their strengths and manage their illness while in the hospital and after discharge. How long a patient stays in Trails depends on the stage of recovery, patient and community safety, the patient's legal status and other factors.
BridgesBridges is the transition program for forensic patients who are nearing the point where they no longer need hospital-level care. In addition to four traditional living units, Bridges includes six cottages on the hospital campus that provide a treatment setting much like a group home, where patients cook their own meals and share other household responsibilities. Bridges' goal is to help patients achieve their highest level of health, safety and independence as they prepare for discharge or conditional release to a less-restrictive community setting. Individuals work on living skills through daily treatment mall activities and classes as well as approved outings. They also participate in discharge planning with their treatment team members. Patients in the transition program currently are served on units in the 35 Building and 50 Building and six cottages. Bridges units in the new OSH are scheduled to open in spring of 2012.
^ Back to top
|
|
