MEDIA AVAILABILITY

WHAT: A media availability has been planned to explain the creation of a 15-bed infirmary for homeless patients that will be operated by The Salvation Army and Oregon Health & Science University health care volunteers.

The infirmary will serve patients who are not sick enough to be in a full service hospital, but who did not qualify for a nursing home and should not stay on the street. It will be the only such large-scale infirmary in the Portland area.

WHEN: Thursday, April 21, noon

WHERE: Salvation Army Harbor Lights Center, 30 S.W. 2nd St., Portland, fourth floor

WHO: The Salvation Army Major Kenneth G. Hodder and OHSU President Peter Kohler, M.D., will discuss the need for the services that will be offered to homeless patients at the new infirmary.

DETAILS: "I am excited about what this means for our community. The need is so apparent. Homeless patients need a place to recover and returning them to the street is not the answer," said Hodder.

Kohler said, "This is an important, new niche in health care that is not being filled. OHSU wants to take a leadership role in working with our community to find solutions in caring for the poor. Establishing this infirmary is also a more cost-effective way of caring for homeless patients who need this type of care. When people are left to recover on the streets they often wind up back in the emergency department in an even worse condition. This infirmary will help meet their needs."

The infirmary is a six-month pilot project to evaluate what is needed for success. It is expected to be in operation by about June 1.