The acting superintendent of the Oregon State Hospital made an urgent call for staff members to work extra shifts, suggesting the state psychiatric facility’s staff shortage is again reaching a crisis point.

In an email obtained by The Oregonian/OregonLive, Sara Walker, the hospital’s chief medical officer, said between 20% and 30% of nursing staff have been absent daily, including both planned and unplanned absences.

Walker, who is helming the hospital while Superintendent Dolly Matteucci is on vacation, pleaded with staff members to sign up for shifts and outlined other unusual steps the hospital would take the to manage the problem.

That includes closing one unit for the weekend and moving 14 patients to other units. Some patients who require constant supervision may also be moved closer together, so that a single staff member can keep an eye on multiple patients.

Walker also encouraged non-nursing staff to sign up to work on nursing units. Staff without proper training will not be required to act as nurses, said hospital spokesperson Amber Shoebridge. Instead, they would engage with patients by playing cards, bringing them snacks or walking them to their meals.

The hospital, which employs about 2,300 across two campuses, has faced a severe staff shortage since the beginning of the pandemic, at various points calling in the National Guard and temporary staffing agencies to help with the deficit.

The deficit has left workers exhausted, with many resigning or taking extended leave. Those who have remained at the hospital report increasingly dangerous working conditions, such as an increase in assaults and burnout from working long hours.

The hospital has been actively recruiting nurses, with efforts including TV and radio ads, job fairs and social media recruitment. But it has still required its staff to work extra shifts to cover scheduling gaps.

In her message, Walker acknowledged that the situation was dire.

“Our workforce is tired and although they remain dedicated, we cannot sustain this indefinitely,” she said.

—Jayati Ramakrishnan