A10
NEWS
Blue Mountain Eagle
Wednesday, August 3, 2022
‘Crisis’ at St. Charles Health
By SUZANNE ROIG
The Bulletin
BEND — Nurses and med-
ical professionals are con-
cerned that St. Charles Health
System is “inept and chaotic,”
following the discovery it
filed and pulled a statement to
state health officials that it was
experiencing a staffing crisis.
The health system notified
the Oregon Health Authority
on July 15 that it had an emer-
gency due to its current staff-
ing shortage, according to doc-
uments provided by the health
authority. The emergency dec-
laration, called “crisis stan-
dard of care,” has not been
used by any Oregon hospital
during the pandemic, accord-
ing to state health officials.
Hospitals can issue crisis
standards of care when criti-
cal care resources are severely
limited, the number of patients
presenting for critical care
exceeds capacity, and there is
no option to transfer patients
to another facility, according
to state health guidelines.
Officials at St. Charles were
told their emergency didn’t
meet those state guidelines,
but if staffing models were
being altered and it was delay-
ing nonurgent care, the public
needed to be notified, accord-
ing to emails from the hospital
to state health officials.
The health system, at
no time, ever turned away
patients or operated under this
crisis standard of care, said
Lisa Goodman, St. Charles
Health System spokeswoman.
“The emails between St.
Ryan Brennecke/Bulletin file
An entrance to St. Charles Bend, seen in September 2020.
Charles executives and the
Oregon Health Authority
about the staffing crisis at all
four St Charles facilities reads
exactly as we would expect:
inept and chaotic,” said Scott
Palmer, Oregon Nurses Asso-
ciation director of communi-
cations. “Our hospital systems
are overtaxed, overburdened.
They’re really struggling.”
At an emergency staff-
ing meeting on Wednesday,
nurses told the health system
that declaring a staffing emer-
gency puts more work on the
staff at a time when morale is
at its lowest, said Joel Hernan-
dez, a St. Charles Bend regis-
tered nurse and Oregon Nurses
Association vice president.
He also feared patient
safety could be at risk.
“We have a feeling that
no one knows what they’re
doing,” Hernandez said. “As
someone who has worked in
health care for 15 years, I’ve
never seen morale this low.”
Schedules are changed,
workloads are higher than
the accepted standard of care,
particularly for nurses work-
ing the night shift, and often
nurses are unable to take their
lunch breaks without doubling
the workload of another nurse,
Hernandez said.
The crisis notification
comes on the heels of lay-
offs for two key executives
— Dr. Jeff Absalon and Rod
Marchiando. Their positions
will be eliminated Aug. 1. On
July 12, the hospital system
announced CEO Joe Sluka
was stepping down and also
reported $40 million in oper-
ational losses.
And in May, the health
system laid off 105 nonmedi-
cal workers and eliminated 76
vacant positions to staunch the
growing financial losses.
“St. Charles has a staff-
ing problem,” said Palmer, of
the nurses association. “From
our perspective, there’s some
deeply suspicious behavior
going on. It’s absolutely con-
cerning. There’s no doubt that
every single nurse and health
care worker is frustrated and
angry and overworked.
In the future, the hospital
plans to notify the public if it
needs to limit care or amend
staffing requirements, Good-
man said.
“We did prepare a public
notice that would have alerted
the public to the fact that our
ability to provide health care
services was limited as the
result of our need to alter our
nurse staffing plans,” Good-
man said in an email. “We had
intended to post that language
to our website and at our hos-
pital entrances.”
The staffing challenges at
the health system are not new,
Goodman said. The system is
so stressed, that chief nurse
executives are being pressed
into front-line caregiving, she
said. Currently the health sys-
tem has a 21% vacancy rate
for inpatient nurses and a 28%
vacancy rate for certified nurs-
ing assistants, Goodman said.
Hospitals statewide have
been struggling with issues,
but the pandemic made it
worse, according to state
health officials. Some of the
issues include: Patients delay-
ing care because of COVID-
19, a shortage of long-term
care beds making it diffi-
cult for hospitals to discharge
patients in a timely fashion,
and 28 months of a pandemic.
“It is widely known that
St. Charles Health System is
struggling mightily right now
with many serious issues,”
said former board member
Knute Buehler, who was also a
state representative for Bend.
“To maintain community con-
fidence it is crucial for them
to be transparent with regards
to the specific challenges
no matter if legally required
or not.”
Oregon meat inspection plan OK’d
Henderson, of ODA, told cattlemen at
the event that he fully anticipates going back
before the Legislature in the future to secure
more funding for the program long-term.
To meet the new state standards, proces-
sors will have to meet requirements “at least
equal to those imposed under the Federal
Meat Inspection Act,” according to USDA.
Some experts say that if a processor is
going to shoulder the effort and expense to
meet federal standards anyway — including
installing fully washable walls, temperature
controls and wastewater disposal systems
— why wouldn’t it just become a USDA-in-
spected plant that can sell meat nationally
rather than a state-inspected plant that can
only sell within Oregon?
If a place is going to go through the trou-
ble of coming under inspection, most of
them will just go USDA-inspected, or they
already are USDA-inspected, said Rebecca
Thistlethwaite, director of Oregon State Uni-
versity’s Niche Meat Processor Assistance
Network.
Thistlethwaite said she doesn’t expect
many processors to utilize the state program.
Many officials, however, remain
optimistic.
“This USDA approval will open up more
processing options for our state’s hard-work-
ing agricultural producers,” said Sen. Ron
Wyden, D-Ore.
TH
GU
1
R GU
15
% &
OFF
A
+
1
Subject to credit approval. Call for details.
5
10
% OFF
WE INSTALL
YEAR-ROUND!
TO THE FIRST 50
CALLERS ONLY! **
Know When People
and Packages Arrive
Prepare for
Power Outages
& Save Money
CALL US TODAY FOR
A FREE ESTIMATE
where available
OFF
SENIORS &
MILITARY!
YOUR ENTIRE
PURCHASE *
FINANCING THAT FITS YOUR BUDGET! 1
Promo Code: 285
/mo.
%
LIFETIME
WARRANTY
Use Promo Code 4FREE
*Qualifying system purchase requires minimum $599.99 equipment purchase, professional installation and applicable services agree-
ment. DIY system purchases and reactivations of previouslyinstalled systems not eligible for off er. Off er not available in all states or
provinces. Equipment purchase may be fi nanced separately subject to an agreement with one of Vivint’s third-party fi nancing partners.
Monthly $1.48 cellular network maintenance fee applies. Taxes and local permit fees may apply. New Vivint Customers only. Financing
eligibility and terms subject to credit approval by one of Vivint’s third-party fi nancing partners. Qualifi ed customers may fi nance equip-
ment purchase at 0% APR for up to 60 months. Month-to-month service agreement available when equipment is purchased upfront.
System supports up to six cameras subject to suffi cient WiFi speeds. Without a Vivint services plan, product and system functionality is
limited (including loss of remote connectivity). Speak to a Vivint representative at the phone number in this off er for complete equipment,
services, and package details, including pricing and fi nancing details. Products and services in Louisiana provided by Vivint Louisiana
Commercial Certifi cate #58280. See comprehensive Vivint license numbers on Vivint.com.
19 . 99
’S
844-894-8790
TE
$
EXCLUSIVE LIMITED TIME OFFER!
NATIO
N
T
CALL NOW TO CUSTOMIZE
YOUR SYSTEM
Blazing Fast
Internet!
ADD TO YOUR PACKAGE FOR ONLY
Protection starts with prevention
Get FREE Professional
Installation and Four FREE
Months of Monitoring Service*
WASHINGTON — Ore-
gon Sens. Ron Wyden and
Jeff Merkley announced Fri-
day, July 29, they secured
$1.7 million for Morrow
County to address drink-
ing water contamination in
Boardman.
The money comes from
the fiscal year 2023 Senate
appropriations bill. Merkley,
as chair of the Senate Inte-
rior Appropriations subcom-
mittee, along with Wyden,
identified the funding for this
critical community-initiated
project that will help resi-
dents of Morrow and Uma-
tilla counties have greater
access to clean drinking
water.
Morrow County in a state-
ment reported the funds will
pay for the testing of wells
and to study longer-term
solutions and options for
rural residents who rely on
individual wells for their
drinking water.
“This federal funding
will help Morrow County
move beyond the short-term
nitrate emergency and help
us work towards longer term
solutions,” Morrow County
Commissioner Melissa Lind-
say said in a press release.
“The senators’ support during
the nitrate emergency has
been so valuable. This new
source of significant funding
will allow Morrow County
to develop a standardized
data and testing program to
monitor rural wells and also
study long term solutions to
clean drinking water for rural
residents.”
She also said she appre-
ciated the collaboration with
the Umatilla County Board
of Commissioners. She and
Umatilla County Commis-
sioner Dan Dorran worked
with staff from both counties
to make the request for fed-
eral dollars.
Morrow County Commis-
sion Chair Jim Doherty in the
press release called the fund-
ing “welcomed support.”
Doherty and staff have
spent many hours the past
few months directly involved
in the emergency efforts to
test water in households and
provide them with clean
drinking water. However, he
said, “Morrow County will
continue to vigilantly push
the state of Oregon for long-
term, permanent support to
remedy the negative health
effects of high nitrate levels
in rural domestic wells.”
Morrow County Board
of Commissioners on June 9
declared an emergency over
the contamination. The move
came in the wake of the Ore-
gon Department of Environ-
mental Quality in January
CLOG-FREE GUARANTEE
E
Peace of Mind
Starts Here
1-855-536-8838
2-YEAR
TV PRICE
GUARANTEE
Mon-Thurs: 8am-11pm, Fri-Sat: 8am-5pm, Sun: 2pm-8pm EST
For those who qualify. One coupon per household. No obligation estimate valid for 1 year. *Off er valid at time of estimate only 2The leading consumer reporting agency
conducted a 16 month outdoor test of gutter guards in 2010 and recognized LeafFilter as the “#1 rated professionally installed gutter guard system in America.” Manufac-
tured in Plainwell, Michigan and processed at LMT Mercer Group in Ohio. See Representative for full warranty details. CSLB# 1035795 DOPL #10783658-5501 License#
7656 License# 50145 License# 41354 License# 99338 License# 128344 License# 218294 WA UBI# 603 233 977 License# 2102212986 License# 2106212946 License#
2705132153A License# LEAFFNW822JZ License# WV056912 License# WC-29998-H17 Nassau HIC License# H01067000 Registration# 176447 Registration# HIC.0649905
Registration# C127229 Registration# C127230 Registration# 366920918 Registration# PC6475 Registration# IR731804 Registration# 13VH09953900 Registration#
PA069383 Suff olk HIC License# 52229-H License# 2705169445 License# 262000022 License# 262000403 License# 0086990 Registration# H-19114
Prepare for power
outages today
WITH A HOME STANDBY GENERATOR
69
$
ACT NOW TO RECEIVE
A $300 SPECIAL OFFER!*
(844) 989-2328
1-866-373-9175
FEEL THE SPEED,
EVEN AT PEAK TIMES.
*Off er value when purchased at retail.
Solar panels sold separately.
(877) 557-1912
*To qualify, consumers must request a quote, purchase, install and activate the
generator with a participating dealer. Call for a full list of terms and conditions.
for 12 Mos.
Including
Offer ends 11/9/22.
Get strong, fast Wi-Fi to work and
play throughout your home. ^
No annual contract.
Based on wired connection to gateway.
FREE
Power multiple devices at once—
everyone can enjoy their own screen.
Number of devices depends on screen size/resolution.
A $695 Value!
AT&T
INTERNET 100
††
45
$
CALL NOW BEFORE THE NEXT POWER OUTAGE
America’s Top 120 Package
All offers require credit qualification, 24-month commitment with early termination fee and eAutoPay. Prices include Hopper Duo for qualifying customers. Hopper, Hopper w/Sling or Hopper 3 $5/mo. more.
Upfront fees may apply based on credit qualification.
Contact a Generac dealer for full terms and conditions
REQUEST A FREE QUOTE
99 190 CHANNELS
MO.
Local Channels!
CALL TODAY - For $100 Gift Card Promo Code: DISH100
7-Year Extended
Warranty*
$0 MONEY DOWN + LOW MONTHLY PAYMENT OPTIONS
REQUEST A FREE QUOTE!
issuing a $1.3 million fine
against the Port of Morrow in
Boardman for years of vio-
lating its wastewater per-
mit and allowing hundreds
of tons of excess nitrogen
onto area farmlands above
the already contaminated
basin. The DEQ on June 17
increased that fine to $2.1
million.
“Since the emergency
declaration, we are finally
receiving attention and
resources from state agen-
cies,” according to Doherty.
“The Lower Umatilla Basin
Groundwater Management
Area has been in place for
almost 40 years and not until
the declaration have we had
support from the Oregon
Health Authority and the
Oregon Department of Envi-
ronmental Quality.”
Morrow and Umatilla
County have participated in
the LUBGWMA volunteer
committee since 1990 when
the state declared the area
due to high levels of nitrates.
The LUBGWMA committee
is in the process of imple-
menting the Second Action
Plan to reduce nitrate con-
tamination from a number of
sources, septic systems, fer-
tilizer, land application of
wastewater, washout from
the Umatilla Army Depot
and feedlots, according to
the press release. Funding
for the LUBGWMA has
been almost nonexistent,
primarily in the form of a
part-time employee to test a
small sample of wells.
In addition to the LUB-
GWMA committee, Uma-
tilla and Morrow counties,
together with help from
stakeholders, were able to
secure direct legislative
funding to more scientif-
ically study the source of
nitrate contamination, the
press release stated. Known
as the LUBGWMA Sub-
committee, the bi-county
effort soon will have an Ore-
gon State University scien-
tist working on a study of
historical data.
Doherty also credited
Lindsay for advocating for
the research and her involve-
ment in the subcommittee
efforts.
“We are getting closer
to where we need to be to
address the short-term and
long-term
groundwater
problems,” he stated. “Our
immediate priority is pub-
lic health and ensuring rural
residents have clean, safe,
potable water. We remain
vigilant however, in our
commitment to study the
sources of pollution and to
seek long term remedies. We
sincerely appreciate the sup-
port of Sen. Wyden and Sen.
Merkley and their staff.”
East Oregonian
BACKED BY A YEAR-ROUND
Smart security.
Professionally installed.
2
WASHINGTON — The U.S. Depart-
ment of Agriculture on Thursday, July 28,
approved a regulatory plan that allows
Oregon to revive its state meat inspection
program.
The goal is to expand opportunities for
small-scale processors who can’t sell com-
mercially because the meat they process is
not federally inspected. Oregon has just 13
USDA-inspected facilities statewide; the
new program will allow the state to also do
inspections, though state-inspected meat can
only be sold within Oregon.
USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Ser-
vice has finalized a cooperative agreement
with Oregon Department of Agriculture, giv-
ing ODA authority to inspect meat produced
for shipment within the state.
Lauren Henderson, ODA’s deputy direc-
tor, has been talking for decades about re-es-
tablishing the state inspection program to
increase Oregon’s slaughter and processing
capacity. ODA’s previous state inspection
program ended in 1971 due to budget cuts.
When the pandemic hit and produc-
ers struggled to move meat due to a short-
age of inspection services, officials started
talking more seriously about re-instituting
state inspections.
In 2020, Oregon legislators passed a bill
approving the state meat inspection pro-
gram, and later approved $2 million in grants
to help processors get started. Thursday’s
approval from USDA was the final puzzle
piece needed.
“I am so proud of our state, our partners
and the many ODA staff that helped make
Oregon’s State Meat Inspection Program a
reality,” ODA director Alexis Taylor said in
a statement.
USDA’s deputy undersecretary Sandra
Eskin said she anticipates the program will
strengthen the food system and help prevent
supply chain bottlenecks.
“This program is especially helpful to
small meat and poultry processors in build-
ing their local and state marketplaces,” said
Eskin.
Oregon is now among 28 states with
meat inspection programs.
Though Thursday’s move was applauded
by many, some meat experts are skeptical the
program is all it is chalked up to be.
At the Oregon Cattlemen’s Association
convention last November, some ranch-
ers and meat processors expressed concern
that the program may not be the best use of
taxpayer dollars. Outfitting a plant to meet
inspection requirements is no small feat, they
said, and the $2 million is just a drop in the
bucket.
RD
By SIERRA DAWN McCLAIN
Capital Press
Feds earmark $1.7M
for Morrow water woes
/mo *
For 12 mos, plus taxes & equip.fee.$10/mo equip. fee applies.
Limited availability in selectareas. *Price after $5/mo
Autopay & Paperless bill discount (w/in 2 bills).
Limited availability in select areas. May not be available inyour area.
Call or goto att.com/internetto see if you qualify.
Over 99% reliability.
Excludes DSL. Based on network availability.
Contact your local DIRECTV dealer
IV Support Holdings
888-486-0359
INTERNET OFFER: Subj. to change and may be discontinued at any time. Price for Internet 100 for new residential customers & is after $5/mo. autopay & paperless bill discount. Pricing for first 12 months only. After 12 mos., then prevailing rate applies. Autopay & Paperless Bill
Discount: Discount off the monthly rate when account is active & enrolled in both. Pay full plan cost until discount starts w/in 2 bill cycles. Must maintain autopay/paperless bill and valid email address to continue discount. Additional Fees & Taxes: AT&T one-time transactional fees, $10/mo.
equipment fee, and monthly cost recovery surcharges which are not government-required may apply, as well as taxes. See www.att.com/fees for details. Installation: $99 installation for full tech install, plus tax where applicable. Credit restrictions apply. Pricing subject to change. Subj. to Internet
Terms of Service at att.com/internet-terms. ^AT&T Smart Wi-Fi requires installation of a BGW210, 5268AC, or NVG599 Wi-Fi Gateway. Standard with Internet plans (12M or higher). Whole home Wi-Fi connectivity may require AT&T Smart Wi-Fi Extender(s) sold separately. ††Internet speed claims
represent maximum network service capability speeds and based on wired connection to gateway. Actual customer speeds are not guaranteed and may vary based on several factors. For more information, go to www.att.com/speed101.
©2021 DIRECTV. DIRECTV and all other DIRECTV marks are trademarks of DIRECTV, LLC. AT&T and Globe logo are trademarks of AT&T Intellectual Property.
No Matter
how big or small your trophy was
or if you just want to share a hunting adventure,
send or drop off your best
hunting photos or stories
to
195 N Canyon Blvd., John Day, OR 97845 • kim@bmeagle.com
Your photos could be published in this year’s EAGLE HUNTING JOURNAL
Please have them to the Eagle by August 8.