CMS accused Salem-based Oregon State Hospital administrators of failing to take immediate action after a patient who was awaiting felony charges escaped using a hospital van, The Lund Report reported Sept. 20.
An immediate jeopardy citation was given Sept. 15 two weeks after Christopher Pray escaped the facility while fully shackled. Although the warning does not name Mr. Pray, the details align with his escape — he stole a van that had the keys inside and was found days later stuck in a bog.
"The hospital has not demonstrated that it has taken sufficient immediate actions to correct this noncompliance and prevent serious injury or death," the CMS notice said. It also said the "hospital's failure to fully cooperate slowed" the federal regulators' work.
In response to the event, the Oregon Health Authority, which oversees the hospital, said in a Sept. 20 press conference that it had submitted a corrective plan and begun implementing it. Under the plan, only vans with barriers between front and back seats will be used for medical transport of patients requiring restraints. All secure medical transports will also load and unload in secure ports, and drivers will have control of vehicle keys at all times.
The hospital has 23 days to fix the issues. On Sept. 15, Oregon State Hospital Superintendent Dolly Matteucci said in the release, "We are taking steps right away to reduce the possibility that an unauthorized leave could occur during transport and potentially put themselves, staff or members of the community at risk."