City Briefs

City meets with OHH builders

City Administrator Simon Dwyer met with the engineers working on the new Olney Hamilton Hospital to discuss water flow and new demands to the City’s septic system, Mr. Dwyer said. The project is set to break ground in March.

City explores grants for sidewalks

The City is applying for government grants to repair sidewalks surrounding the Old City Hall. City Administrator Simon Dwyer said that although the existing sidewalk ramps comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act requirements, he was concerned about the corner on Grand and Hamilton beside the current Police Department that is hazardous to the mobility challenged.

“We might be able to get federal or state money for ADA compliant sidewalks. That might be able to [improve] that whole corner,” he said.

OHH board votes to keep QIPP program The Olney Hamilton Hospital board of directors voted to keep participating in the Quality Incentive Payment Program (QIPP) for nursing homes, after asking auditors to determine whether the falling return on investment made the program an asset to the hospital’s finances.

Olney provides medical services to four companies with five nursing homes, including Grace Care Center of Olney, as part of the program. Forvis Mazars auditor Deborah Whitley told the OHH board at their Nov. 22 meeting that although QIPP revenues have dropped from $2.1 million to $1.1 million over the past three years as a result of a less-favorable revenue split with the nursing homes and tougher regulation, the program was still worthwhile.

“You are still getting a double-digit return on investment … the rate of return is still better than something you are going to get from other programs,” she said. “Or there are no other programs to turn around and exchange for those. We feel like you are still netting enough in dollars and percent to maintain the program as we know it today.”