OPB’s First Look: OHSU’s slumping patient care metrics

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Good morning, Northwest.

Oregon Health & Science University is widely considered the top hospital in Oregon, but several measures of patient care have been declining.

OPB health reporter Amelia Templeton starts today’s newsletter with a closer look at long-simmering issues at the hospital.

Also this morning, Indigenous fire practitioners are revitalizing methods that shaped Oregon landscapes — and leading ground-breaking research into their fire histories.

Here’s your First Look at Monday’s news.

— Bradley W. Parks

OHSU grapples with falling rank on patient safety measures

Last week, following his abrupt firing, outgoing OHSU Health CEO Tarek Salaway leveled a serious allegation.

Salaway said he was pushed out after raising concerns to university leadership regarding patient safety, quality of care and conditions in the OHSU emergency department.

Salaway hasn’t provided documentation of his claims, citing confidentiality concerns. OHSU has declined to confirm or deny his account of why he was fired.

But the allegations highlight a reality at OHSU even the institution’s leadership acknowledges: OHSU’s performance has been slipping on important measures of patient safety. (Amelia Templeton)

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3 things to know

• The voter registration deadline for Oregon’s May primary election is tomorrow, and ballots begin mailing to registered voters in Oregon the day after. (Margaux Maxwell)
• Portland’s arts tax is headed for a makeover, but the fix might not address everyone’s grievances with the long-lamented fee. (Alex Zielinski)
• The Oregon Department of Transportation reported the state in 2024 had the highest rate of work zone crashes and fatalities in five years, with most of the 621 crashes being caused by speeding or distracted driving. (Julia Boboc)

The Oregon roots of rock-n-roll

At the peak of his popularity in the 1950s, no one was bigger than Oregon musician Johnnie Ray. Today’s episode of “The Evergreen” looks at how Ray’s unique sound and emotional performances thrilled audiences, helping usher in the era of rock-n-roll. (Peter Frick-Wright and Kami Horton)

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Northwest headlines

• How Indigenous leaders are ‘carrying fire’ from Northwest history to the present (Ashley Braun)
• Trail Blazers blown out by Spurs, now trail 3-1 in playoff series (Joni Auden Land)
• UO research shows booze binges can derail college students’ brain functions (Brian Bull)
• Tuition to rise for 12th year in a row at Oregon’s public universities (Alex Baumhardt)
• Trump administration denies mitigation aid after Washington state floods (Jake Goldstein-Street)

Listen in on OPB’s daily conversation

“Think Out Loud” airs at noon and 8 p.m. weekdays on OPB Radio, opb.org and the OPB News app. Today’s planned topics (subject to change):

• Prescribed Burns Associations let community members take part in controlled burnings
• OSU study shows faster water flows from warming winters, with impacts on water supply in Pacific Northwest
• Portland State University report highlights best ways to support people experiencing homelessness

Portland’s newest Black-owned music-centered bar aims to foster community, creativity

Tucked away at the intersection of Northwest 4th Avenue and Glisan Street in the heart of Old Town-Chinatown is a new Black-owned, music-centered bar, restaurant and live performance space.

The Downbeat welcomes all forms of creative expression and aims to foster a community for Black musicians and creatives.

For owners Cyrus Coleman and Adewale Agboola, opening the Downbeat was an important step toward revitalizing the arts for Black artists in a city where they have historically been marginalized. (Chrissy Booker)

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