Case of process vs treatment: Why Patients Aren’t Getting the Shingles Vaccine

This is a microcosm of one ofthe big issues in US medicine: we do big expensive treatments well, but not basic fundamentals. In this case, it is reimbursement getting in te way of shingles vaccines that would eliminate the problem for millions of Americans. Instead of spending $100 per person to eliminate the problem, we spend $10,000 - $15,000 and clog up our healthcare system in treating it down the line. In engineering and development there is a rule of thumb: it cost 1x to solve the problem in design, 3x to solve in development and testing and 8x to solve the problem once deployed. I would have to think it's even more exaggerated in medicine when comparing solving at the PCP's office vs when the disease manifests itself and must be treated.

From The New York Times:

DOCTOR AND PATIENT: Why Patients Aren’t Getting the Shingles Vaccine

Most doctors recommend immunizations against flu and pneumonia for older patients, but they do not do the same with the shingles vaccine.

http://nyti.ms/aU6Nup

Posted via email from Suneil Mandava's Posterous