Oregon State Hospital patient dies at psychiatric hospital in Salem
A patient at the Oregon State Hospital died Thursday, hospital superintendent Dolly Matteucci said in an email to staff at the psychiatric hospital in Salem.
The hospital declined to provide details about the patient's death.
State hospital policy dictates an investigation of specified incidents including "unanticipated patient death."
The policy states the hospital "must conduct thorough investigations, prepare reports showing the tracking and trending of data, and implement and monitor corrective or preventative actions."
A spokesperson for Disability Rights Oregon said the advocacy group that helps people with disabilities with legal issues was not aware of the death and would be doing an investigation.
"Given that it's at the state hospital, we would definitely investigate this one," said Dave Boyer, managing attorney for the Disability Rights Oregon's mental health rights project.
Boyer cited several ways the organization investigates incidents, such as requesting records and going into the facility to interview residents, staff and witnesses.
Matteucci, in her email about the patient's death, provided resources for staff who might need counseling, spiritual care or emotional support in processing the death of the patient.
"Times like these are especially hard for both patients and staff," said Matteucci in her email. "If you are concerned about a patient, please talk to their treatment team."
This story will be updated.
Sydney Wyatt covers healthcare inequities in the Mid-Willamette Valley for the Statesman Journal. Send comments, questions, and tips to her at SWyatt@gannett.com, (503) 399-6613, or on Twitter @sydney_elise44
The Statesman Journal’s coverage of healthcare inequities is funded in part by the M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust, which seeks to strengthen the cultural, social, educational, and spiritual base of the Pacific Northwest through capacity-building investments in the nonprofit sector.
This article originally appeared on Salem Statesman Journal: Oregon State Hospital patient dies at psychiatric hospital
