Business Watch: Fall is here, coloring the world in pumpkin spice

Fall is here and I’m enjoying the cool weather, sweaters and hot tea. I’m not doing the pumpkin spice thing, though, and I don’t quite get that trend. I don’t even like pumpkin pie, which may lose me a few readers.

I’ve been busy trying to keep up on Topeka’s business news. This week brings us quite a few stories.

It looks as if the sale of St. Francis will be final Nov. 1, providing all approvals come in. It will be nice to move forward, although this week’s news about 60 lost positions was difficult. Even though ultimately the Ardent-KU Health combination will add jobs — 86 in clinical, bedside care — each person impacted by a lost job is tough. Hopefully our tight labor market will bring those folks work quickly.

Also this week we’ll hear about who the first round of 20 applicants are in Top Tank. And the dedication of the Kansas Health Institute’s pocket park will occur Friday. I’ve written about Samuel Crumbine this weekend, and I must admit I’ll be seeking out his autobiography. Fascinating man that I didn’t learn about in school. I hope the pocket park will encourage teachers to tell Kansas kids about this amazing Kansan.

I’m hearing rumors that we have six offers on the downtown United States Post Office, three local and three out of town. That’s a stupendous building downtown and it needs to be part of the area’s renovation. Official word from the USPS spokesman, though, is it’s “still for sale.”

I’m hearing some proposals are for apartments, but I also understand that the Brown v. Board courtroom there will be protected as part of a sale agreement. That certainly would make sense.

Breaking news will be coming about several new businesses in town. I’ve been in and out of the office for a couple of weeks, so I’m hoping to get caught up soon.

Enjoy the weather and your pumpkin spice coffee and bread and shampoo. (Seriously, folks, it might be time to get a grip.)

St. Francis Accountable Health Network generated $5.8 million in 2016 savings

St. Francis Accountable Health Network, an accountable care organization focused on improving care for Medicare beneficiaries, exceeded its quality and financial goals, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services announced this week.

The network, which will continue as St. Francis transitions to its new ownership, will benefit from its work. When ACOs generate higher than expected savings, they are able to share in those savings, a press release said.

The St. Francis network is made up of providers from St. Francis and Rural Health Resources of Jackson County.

”The goal of coordinated care is to ensure that patients, especially the chronically ill, get the right care at the right time, while avoiding unnecessary duplication of services and preventing medical errors,” a release said. “St. Francis Accountable Health Network generated over $5.8 million in savings in 2016.”