OHH wins award, cancels election

Olney Hamilton Hospital was named one of the 2023 Top 100 Critical Access Hospitals nationwide and one of four top critical access hospitals in Texas by The Chartis Group, a healthcare consulting firm, hospital administrator Mike Huff told the hospital board of directors at their Feb. 24 meeting.

The assessment was based on OHH’s metrics on the quality of patient care, patient satisfaction, the hospital’s financial health, risk management practices, and patient outcomes, Mr. Huff said. To celebrate, the hospital will hold a staff appreciation lunch on March 2, he said.

The hospital delayed work last month on architectural plans and financing for the new hospital facility while it completes the financial forecast upon which interest rates and debt structure will be based, Mr.

Huff said. “It’s looking pretty promising,” he told the board.

Mr. Huff told the board that the hospital posted a net profit of $650,000 for January, and a $1.2 million net profit so far in fiscal 2023, which ends in February. The hospital was on track to show a $1.2 million to $1.5 million net profit for the fiscal year, he said.

The medical staff approved credentials for Megan Hammonds, a new nurse practitioner who joined the medical staff, Chief of Staff Dr. Mark Mankins said. The hospital did 134 COVID tests in February with 21 positives, up from 102 COVID tests in January with 19 positives, Chief Nursing Officer Samantha Isbell said.

The OHH board also approved the proposed fiscal 2024 Olney Hamilton Hospital District 2024 budget of $500,000 net profit and canceled the May 6 board election, as no candidates other than incumbents filed.