With the end of the federal public health emergency, Oregon State Hospital is rolling back its COVID-19 restrictions that were in place for visitation.
OSH will continue to offer Microsoft Teams virtual visits for all patients who are interested. To participate in a virtual visit with a patient, visitors must be on the approved visitor list. Visitors may complete a
visitor application and go through the approval process before a video visit.
Apply to visit
Except for legal guardians, friends and family members wanting to visit a patient must first fill out and submit a visitor application*. This includes completing a criminal background check for adults. An application is required for each person wanting to visit. There is a separate application for minors younger than 18 years of age.
There are four steps in the application process:
Step 1: The OSH Security Department runs the criminal background check. Security will notify the treatment team of any security concerns.
Step 2: The patient's treatment team reviews the application and any security concerns.
Step 3: If approved by the treatment team, the patient will make the final decision to approve or deny the application.
Step 4: You will be notified by letter, email or phone of the hospital's final decision about your application. If approved, you will receive information about visitation hours and the location of your loved one's unit.
Please allow five business days from the date your application is received to complete the approval process. Notification may take longer if you request communication through mail. If you have questions about the status of your application, please contact
OSH Family Services.
Preparing for your visit
Contraband and prohibited items
In order to provide a safe environment for patients, staff and visitors, certain items are not allowed in the hospital. These items are called either called "prohibited" or “Contraband."
"Contraband" means any item not permitted on OSH grounds, such as:
- Weapons, controlled substances, marijuana and products containing marijuana, things used to take drugs, illegal substances, lighters or things used to start fires, and explosives;
- Anything that could harm patients or others;
- Anything that violates the hospital's infection control requirements, such as pets and non-commercially packaged foods and beverages; or
- Anything that's illegal
“Prohibited item" means an item that could possibly be used to hurt someone. Prohibited items vary by program and could include things like:
- Aerosol spray cans
- Glass
- Hairdryers
- Safety pins
- Electrical cords, including chargers of any kind
If a patient moves to a different part of the hospital, what they can have may change. If you have questions about contraband and prohibited items, please contact the patient's unit or OSH Family Services for more information. View the patient property access list here.
Visitation schedule
Visit this page for visitation schedules by unit.
Child visits
Child visits are scheduled for specific times and locations (
see Visitation schedule). Children younger than 18 are allowed to visit when:
- The child's legal parent or guardian has completed a minor visitor application, which OSH has approved
- The child is accompanied at all times by an approved adult visitor
Call ahead/special arrangements
To ensure staffing and other availability, please call your loved one's unit or Family Services to arrange the following:
-
Pictures
-
Family dining
-
Visitor use of Cottage
-
Visits to Harbors units
-
Offsite visits
Health and wellness
To help support the health of all OSH patients, staff and visitors, we ask that you refrain from visiting if you are feeling unwell. We encourage all visitors to get an annual flu shot and to use OSH hand hygiene stations in the lobbies before and after visitation. Covering coughs and sneezes is encouraged, as well. During flu season, if OSH requires visitors to wear a face mask, the hospital will provide them.
OSH may occasionally close a unit when there is a high level of any contagious illness. When this happens, the hospital will post information on this website and at the OSH Reception desk.
Visitor attire
Please know that some patients may react to revealing clothing or images that promote the use of violence, drugs or alcohol. For their well-being and safety — as well as for the security of staff and other visitors — we ask that you dress for the hospital environment. Clothing should include a dress or a shirt with either a skirt, pants or shorts. Visitors should also wear shoes or sandals.
The day of your visit
Please plan to arrive 10-15 minutes before you would like to start your visit. This will allow for time to check in and go through the security-screening process.
Upon your arrival:
- Check in with Reception at the main entrance.
- Give any packages and gifts to Reception for screening and inventory.
- Security staff will ask you to store all personal property — including cell phones, purses and bags — in provided lockers. You may keep cash or a debit card for purchases in the café and market.
- In Salem, before entering the visitation area, Security staff will wave a metal detector around your body. Junction City visitors will pass through a metal detector. If the metal detector is activated, staff may ask you to remove other items of clothing (such as a belt) or to empty your pockets.
- Staff will walk you to the visitation area.
- Brief greetings, farewell embraces and kisses are permitted. Please refrain from other types of physical contact.
Salem Campus Visitation Video
Holiday visits
Oregon State Hospital observes several holidays throughout the year and follows holiday visitation hours (see Visitation schedule) on those days. When a holiday falls on a Saturday, OSH will observe holiday hours on the Friday before the holiday. When a holiday falls on a Sunday, OSH will follow holiday visitation hours on the Monday after the holiday. Below is a list of the holidays that OSH currently observes.
- New Year's Day
- Martin Luther King Day
- President's Day
- Memorial Day
- Independence Day
- Labor Day
- Veteran's Day
- Thanksgiving Day
- The day after Thanksgiving
- Christmas Day
Call ahead/special arrangements
If you would like to make special arrangements during a visit, we ask that you do so in advance. OSH staff will make every effort to accommodate your request. See below for information about commonly requested accommodations.
Pictures
You can arrange to have photos taken with your loved one during a visit. Due to privacy and confidentiality concerns, this does require approval prior to your visit. Please contact the nurse manager on the unit or
OSH Family Services to make this arrangement.
Family dining
The family dining rooms in Salem and Junction City provide the perfect setting to celebrate a birthday, anniversary, holiday or other memorable occasion. Visit our Family Dining Page for more information.
Due to COVID-19 use of the family dining room in Salem and Junction City has been suspended until further notice.
Visitor Cottage
OSH Salem has a communal Visitor Cottage for family and friends travelling long distances. Visit the
Visitor Cottage page for more information.
Due to Covid-19, use of the Visitor Cottage has been suspended until further notice. Please check this website or contact OSH Family Services for more information.
Due to COVID-19, all off site visits have been suspended until further notice. Please check this website or contact OSH Family Services for updates. Approved visitors can contact their family member's unit to arrange a
Microsoft Teams video visit.