Tech Race Raises Questions About Value
Pioneer Press covers the question of how much value hospitals derive from keeping up with the Joneses in terms of new and expensive medical technology. Devices such as DaVinci surgical robots or 64-slice CT scanners cost more than $1M and are sometimes acquired before their clinical value is fully established. There is something of an arms race between hospitals which can use these new machines to attract more business to their profitable segments. Sometimes consumer awareness plays a role as patients might inquire about the availability of devices and procedures they have heard about. Hospitals also compete for doctors and giving them access to the latest equipment is a way to attract and retain them.
David Durenberger, a former senator who served six years as Health Subcommittee Chair and founded St. Thomas’ National Institute for Health Policy, was quoted as saying: “In a dysfunctional market, when people don’t know what they’re buying, sellers can sell them anything, practically.” The institute is currently holding Medical Arms Race Syndrome (MARS) gatherings. Pioneer Press quotes several doctors appreciative of the benefits brought by these new technologies while Dr. Ross McBride, medical director of the CyberKnife Center at St. Joseph’s Hospital in St. Paul even went as far as saying: “It’s not my job to worry about the cost of technology. As a physician, I feel it’s my role to be an advocate for the best care for my patient.” If Dr. Ross would not be bothered with framing benefits in light of their costs, HealthPartners, a private Minnesota insurer, definitely does, and recommends radiology facilities in part based on what they charge.
July 21, 2006 Related topics: Medical Devices & Products, Evaluation & assessment