Oregon Public Broadcasting

The Oregon State Hospital is touting its recent success in hiring nurses. But critics say that's only one part of what the beleaguered agency needs to do. Salem Correspondent Chris Lehman reports.

A scathing federal report last year blasted conditions at the iconic mental institution in Salem.

The Justice Department's review concluded that the safety of staff and patients was at risk due to inadequate staffing, including nurses.

Now, hospital officials have announced they've shortened the hiring process for nurses.

That's allowed them to reduce the vacancy rate to five percent, down from 24 percent a year ago. But long-time hospital watchdog Bob Joondeph of Disability Rights Oregon says it's too soon for the hospital to pat itself on the back.

Bob Joondeph: “I applaud any successes they've had in bringing the staff level up, and it's good. It's just they've got a ways to go.”

Oregon State Hospital chief nursing officer Kathy Deacon says the agency plans to hire an additional 100 nurses over the next few years. That comes as the hospital is undergoing a massive renovation of its Salem campus.