OSH family and friends satisfaction survey
For many patients, the active involvement and support of their family and friends is an essential part of the recovery process. With patient approval, OSH encourages family members and friends to visit and maintain relationships with patients during their stay at the hospital.
As a family member or friend, you not only play an important role in your loved one's recovery; through your feedback and suggestions, you also help us refine our practices to provide better care for all of our patients. Please take a few minutes and continue to help us make improvements by participating in the OSH Family Survey.
The survey is anonymous (which means we won't know your identity), and all responses will be analyzed as a group. If you have any questions about the survey, please contact Director of Consumer and Family Services Deb Howard at 503-945-7132 or deborah.j.howard@state.or.us.
OSH is dedicated to providing high-level care within a safe environment, and your feedback can make a difference. Thank you for taking the time to fill out the survey.
OSH Friends and Family
Welcome
Welcome to the Oregon State Hospital Friends and Family website. Regular contact with friends, family and loved ones is an important part of a patient's recovery. We encourage you to learn more about OSH so that you can be an effective part of that process.
We understand that you may have a lot of questions. Answering them is the purpose of this website. One of the best places to find answers is the Family Guidebook.
The guidebook is currently being revised to reflect recent changes at the hospital, now that we have moved into our brand-new world-class facility. A new list of contacts by program and unit will be available here soon. In the meantime, you can contact the Communication Center at 503-945-2800 or 800-544-7078, or feel free to contact Deborah Howard, Consumer and Family Services director, at 503-945-7132 or deborah.j.howard@state.or.us. (Also please contact Deborah if you have suggestions for information you would like to see in the revised guidebook.)
Family, friends and loved ones encouraged to visit
Effective Nov. 1, 2012, OSH has a new visitor application and approval process.
Oregon State Hospital encourages family members, friends and loved ones to visit and maintain relationships with patients (if the patient approves) during their stay at the hospital. These relationships often are very important in helping a patient to recover.
Our goal is to provide our patients with the best care in a safe and compassionate environment.
Before your first visit
Get approval.
Visitors to patients who have been forensically committed through the criminal court system must be approved in advance by completing a visitor application.
Forensic commitments include:
- Patients who have been found guilty except for insanity; or
- Patients who are receiving treatment to help them understand the criminal charges against them and to assist in their own defense.
Visitors to patients who have been civilly committed to not require an application. Patients simply put their names on a "want to see and visit" list. This means visitors for most patients on the following units will not need an application:
- All those at the Portland campus;
- All those in the Springs (neuropsychiatric) program; and
- Leaf 2.
Make sure you know where the patient is and when he or she can be visited.
There are six programs within the hospital, each with its own visiting hours. If you're not sure, call the Communication Center at 503-945-2800 or 1-800-945-2805. Or call Deborah Howard, Director of Consumer and Family Services, at 503-945-7132.
Please read the guidelines on visiting individuals in the:
How to get here
Check in at the Communication Center
The Salem hospital's Communication Center, where visitors must check in, is at the main entrance on the south end of the Kirkbride Building. See the map of the Salem campus. Near the main entrance there is limited parking for persons with disabilities. There is plentiful parking on the grounds, but you may have to walk a ways to the main entrance. You can drop off passengers at the entrance via a circular driveway.
Before you come, call the Communication Center.
Communication Center, Salem
Telephone: 503-945-2800 or 1-800-544-7078
Fax: 503-945-2807
Mailing address:
Communication Center, Oregon State Hospital
2600 Center Street NE, Bldg 35
Salem, OR 97301-2682
Communication Center, Portland campus
Telephone: 503-731-8620
Family dining at the Kirkbride Café
Special occasions call for a special meal with family. That's why Oregon State Hospital is proud to offer family dining at the Kirkbride Café. Whether it's a birthday, holiday or just a family gathering, our family dining room provides a wonderful setting for your family to visit with your loved one while enjoying a delicious meal. Learn more ››
More information
For more information, contact Deborah Howard, director of Consumer and Family Services, at 503-945-7132 or deborah.j.howard@state.or.us
Also see:
Meet Deborah Howard, Director of Consumer and Family Services
As director of Consumer and Family Services, Deborah "Deb" Howard's job is to find solutions for OSH patients and their family members and friends. If you are having trouble getting a question answered, finding or filling out a form, understanding a policy, or just don't know whom to ask for assistance, contact Deborah and she will do her best to find an answer for you.
Deborah J. Howard
Director Consumer and Family Services
2600 Center Street NE
Salem, Oregon 97301-2682
Office: 503-945-7132
Fax: 503-945-2867
Email: Deborah.j.howard@state.or.us