Investigation Stalls Opening of Psychiatric Unit in Multnomah County, Ore.

The Portland Oregonian reports that officials in Multnomah County, Ore., will not likely open a secure 10-bed hospital unit for "stabilizing psychiatric patients" next month. County officials planned to open the new unit at Woodland Park Hospital as part of a "Gap Plan" passed Aug. 9 to address the county's mental health "crisis." The unit would replace beds in the Crisis Triage Center, which closed at the end of July. However, the Oregonian reports that contract negotiations between the county and Woodland Park have "stalled" after two former nurses at the hospital filed complaints against the facility. County inspectors investigated the complaints and have released a two-page draft summary of the findings, citing "clear administrative and clinical policies and practices that need to immediately be corrected." They will release a final report by Sept. 4 that will outline "necessary corrective actions and deadlines." Woodland Park CEO Phil Young said that the hospital would "certainly respond quickly to address any concerns," adding that contract negotiations with the county have "absolutely not" reached an "impasse." Still, Diane Linn, chair of the county Board of Commissioners, said last Thursday that the county will "pursue contingency plans for other alternatives" -- including opening negotiations with other area hospitals -- and called the September target date for opening a new mental health unit "no longer realistic" (Colburn, Portland Oregonian, 8/24). For further information on state health policy in Oregon, visit State Health Facts Online.