Sunk Cost

Sunk Cost

This comic by Dr. Peter Valenzuela cleverly highlights a dilemma all too common in healthcare: the sunk cost fallacy. Faced with a massive budget shortfall and delays in a new building project, leadership decides to push forward despite the impact on other critical areas, like clinic space. The punchline? Squeezing more staff and patients into an already strained system—as if morale and efficiency won’t take a hit.

It raises thought-provoking questions: At what point does persistence become counterproductive? How often do sunk costs drive decisions that compromise the very goals they’re meant to achieve? Let’s discuss—have you seen similar situations in healthcare or other industries?


 

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