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The cost to immunize during well-child visits
J Fontanesi1, M De Guire, K Holcomb
1Partnership of Immunization Providers, Department of Pediatrics, University of California, 9500 Gilman Dr, MC 0927, La Jolla, CA 92093-0927, USA. jfontanesi@ucsd.edu
Summary
Immunizations during well-child visits incur opportunity costs for healthcare providers. Increased preventive care recommendations necessitate reevaluating visit times and clinic efficiency.
Area of Science:
- Healthcare Management
- Pediatric Primary Care
- Health Economics
Background:
- Ambulatory care settings face increasing demands for preventive services.
- Immunization coverage rates are often low in underserved areas.
- Patient-provider contact time has significantly increased.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the incremental labor or opportunity costs of providing immunizations in ambulatory care.
- To analyze the impact of immunizations on well-child visit duration.
Main Methods:
- A time and motion analysis was conducted in 15 primary care practices (10 community clinics, 5 private practices).
- Practices were located in Health Professional Shortage Areas.
- Well-child visits with and without immunizations were compared based on duration.
Main Results:
- Immunizations represent an opportunity cost during well-child visits.
- Average patient-provider contact time was found to be longer than previously reported.
- The duration of well-child visits varied depending on whether immunizations were administered.
Conclusions:
- Increased immunization requirements impact the efficiency of primary care visits.
- Current healthcare system parameters, including visit time and reimbursement rates, require reevaluation.
- Optimizing clinic systems is crucial for meeting preventive care mandates.