Strategic Approaches for the Health Science Educator: Understanding Strategic Planning, Strategic Thinking, and Continuous Process Improvement and Their Impact.

ABSTRACT: With continued demand for health science institutions to find solutions to deliver on heightened student expectations despite smaller budgets and fewer resources, the utilization of organizational improvement techniques is pervasive. Academic health care leaders are seeking effective modalities to overcome obstacles, modernize, and become more efficient. Three of the commonly used approaches for improvement are strategic planning, strategic thinking, and continuous process improvement (CPI), and these concepts have been used in a variety of forms throughout industry, higher education, and health care. However, their definitions are often not well understood, and their processes are misconstrued in practice. With the increased expectation of health care institutions with undergraduate, graduate, and continuing education to consider strategic processes in organizational improvement, it is important for leadership to understand the differences in these three approaches. In this article, we explain the concepts of strategic planning, strategic thinking, and CPI through an overview of their history, definitions, and the benefits and pitfalls as observed by researchers. Furthermore, we reduce the noise in the existing literature into three concise definitions for each approach. And finally, for those seeking where to begin, we explain one tool in each category recommended for the novice strategist: the Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats (SWOT) analysis for strategic planning, the Goals, Objectives, Strategies, and Tactics (GOST) framework for strategic thinking, and the Pareto Chart for CPI.

Examining the Intersection of Strategic Thinking and Continuous Process Improvement Through the Lens of Military Medical Education to Build a Novel Model.

In 2020, the U.S. Air Force School of Aerospace Medicine hired its first civilian dean since its founding in 1918, tasked with building the school's first strategic plan to modernize and improve the institution. Using a combination of military continuous process improvement and academic strategic thinking, the dean produced a highly successful strategic plan. However, its resource-heavy and time-consuming methodology made it difficult to replicate. This study aimed to create a novel and streamlined strategic planning model that combined best practices from continuous process improvement and strategic thinking without redundancy. A qualitative descriptive case study was used to analyze the detailed efforts through content analysis of 150 pages of documentation. A hybrid approach to coding uncovered 44 deductive codes and 5 inductive codes from 10 strategic tools. Results indicated a converging relationship between all strategic processes tested-strategic planning, strategic thinking, and continuous process improvement and their associated tools. A five-step model called the Triple "O" OODA Loop was created, combining best practice tools from strategic planning (purpose trident and SWOT analysis or strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats), strategic thinking (Hot Spots scale and GOST framework or goals, objectives, strategies, and tactics) and continuous process improvement (phases 6-8).

The 2023 Society for Vascular Surgery, American Venous Forum, and American Vein and Lymphatic Society clinical practice guidelines for the management of varicose veins of the lower extremities. Part II: Endorsed by the Society of Interventional Radiology and the Society for Vascular Medicine.

The Society for Vascular Surgery, the American Venous Forum, and the American Vein and Lymphatic Society recently published Part I of the 2022 clinical practice guidelines on varicose veins. Recommendations were based on the latest scientific evidence researched following an independent systematic review and meta-analysis of five critical issues affecting the management of patients with lower extremity varicose veins, using the patients, interventions, comparators, and outcome system to answer critical questions. Part I discussed the role of duplex ultrasound scanning in the evaluation of varicose veins and treatment of superficial truncal reflux. Part II focuses on evidence supporting the prevention and management of varicose vein patients with compression, on treatment with drugs and nutritional supplements, on evaluation and treatment of varicose tributaries, on superficial venous aneurysms, and on the management of complications of varicose veins and their treatment. All guidelines were based on systematic reviews, and they were graded according to the level of evidence and the strength of recommendations, using the GRADE method. All ungraded Consensus Statements were supported by an extensive literature review and the unanimous agreement of an expert, multidisciplinary panel. Ungraded Good Practice Statements are recommendations that are supported only by indirect evidence. The topic, however, is usually noncontroversial and agreed upon by most stakeholders. The Implementation Remarks contain technical information that supports the implementation of specific recommendations. This comprehensive document includes a list of all recommendations (Parts I-II), ungraded consensus statements, implementation remarks, and best practice statements to aid practitioners with appropriate, up-to-date management of patients with lower extremity varicose veins.

Systematic review of endovascular versus laparoscopic extravascular stenting for treatment of nutcracker syndrome.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present study was to assess the current strategies of endovascular and laparoscopic extravascular stenting for symptomatic compression of the left renal vein (LRV), most frequently between the aorta and superior mesenteric artery (nutcracker syndrome [NCS]). METHODS: We performed a systematic review of all studies of endovascular and laparoscopic extravascular LRV stenting for NCS using the PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, Embase, Cochrane, Science Citation Index Expanded, Emerging Sources Citation Index, and Epistemonikos databases. Data were collected in accordance with the PRISMA (preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analysis) guidelines. The English, Spanish, and German language literature was searched from January 1, 1946 to February 9, 2022. The outcomes assessed included symptom resolution, hematuria resolution, and reintervention at follow-up. RESULTS: The search yielded 3498 reports. After removing the duplicates and those without the full text available, 1724 studies were screened. Of these, 11 studies were included in the present review. Of the 11 studies, 7 were on endovascular stenting and 4 on laparoscopic extravascular stenting; all 11 studies were retrospective, single-center case series. Of the 233 patients, 170 (80 women) had undergone endovascular stenting and 63 (9 women) had undergone extravascular stenting. The follow-up period varied from 1 to 60 months after endovascular stenting and 3 to 55 months after extravascular stenting. The symptoms had resolved in 76% (range, 50%-100%) after endovascular stenting and 83% (range, 71%-100%) after extravascular stenting. Hematuria had resolved in 86% (range, 60%-100%) after endovascular stenting and 89% (range, 77%-100%) after extravascular stenting. Of 185 patients, 9 had required reintervention after endovascular stenting and none after extravascular stenting. CONCLUSIONS: Endovascular and laparoscopic extravascular stenting are less invasive and, thus, more attractive treatment options that have been more recently developed for the management of NCS. The results from the present study have shown that symptom and hematuria resolution must be provided before they can be considered preferred management options for patients affected by NCS. Given the limited number of patients involved, no definitive conclusion could be drawn regarding the superiority of one technique compared with the other.

The 2022 Society for Vascular Surgery, American Venous Forum, and American Vein and Lymphatic Society clinical practice guidelines for the management of varicose veins of the lower extremities. Part I. Duplex Scanning and Treatment of Superficial Truncal Reflux: Endorsed by the Society for Vascular Medicine and the International Union of Phlebology.

The Society for Vascular Surgery, American Venous Forum, and American Vein and Lymphatic Society collaborated to update the 2011 Society for Vascular Surgery/American Venous Forum clinical practice guidelines and provide new evidence-based recommendations on critical issues affecting the care of patients with varicose veins. Each recommendation is based on a recent, independent systematic review and meta-analysis of the diagnostic tests and treatments options for patients with lower extremity varicose veins. Part I of the guidelines includes evidence-based recommendations for the evaluation of patients with CEAP (Clinical Class, Etiology, Anatomy, Pathology) class 2 varicose vein using duplex ultrasound scanning and other diagnostic tests, open surgical treatment (ligation and stripping) vs endovenous ablation techniques, thermal vs nonthermal ablation of the superficial truncal veins, and management of incompetent perforating veins in CEAP class 2 disease. We have also made recommendations on the concomitant vs staged treatment of varicose tributaries using phlebectomy or liquid or foam sclerotherapy (with physician-compounded foam or commercially prepared polidocanol endovenous microfoam) for patients undergoing ablation of incompetent superficial truncal veins.

Society for Vascular Surgery best practice recommendations for use of social media.

The use of social media (SoMe) in medicine has demonstrated the ability to advance networking among clinicians and other healthcare staff, disseminate research, increase access to up-to-date information, and inform and engage medical trainees and the public at-large. With increasing SoMe use by vascular surgeons and other vascular specialists, it is important to uphold core tenets of our commitment to our patients by protecting their privacy, encouraging appropriate consent and use of any patient-related imagery, and disclosing relevant conflicts of interest. Additionally, we recognize the potential for negative interactions online regarding differing opinions on optimal treatment options for patients. The Society for Vascular Surgery (SVS) is committed to supporting appropriate and effective use of SoMe content that is honest, well-informed, and accurate. The Young Surgeons Committee of the SVS convened a diverse writing group of SVS members to help guide novice as well as veteran SoMe users on best practices for advancing medical knowledge-sharing in an online environment. These recommendations are presented here with the goal of elevating patient privacy and physician transparency, while also offering support and resources for infrequent SoMe users to increase their engagement with each other in new, virtual formats.

A predictive score for 30-day survival for patients undergoing major lower limb amputation for peripheral arterial obstructive disease.

To analyze outcomes following major lower extremity amputations (mLEAs) for peripheral arterial obstructive disease, gangrene, infected non-healing wound and to create a risk prediction scoring system for 30-day mortality. In this single-center, retrospective, observational cohort study. All patients treated with above-the-knee amputation (AKA) or below-the-knee amputation (BKA) between January 1st, 2010 and June 30th, 2018 were identified. The primary outcome of interest was early (≤ 30 days) mortality. Secondary outcomes were postoperative complications and freedom from amputation stump revision/failure. We identified 310 (77.7%) mLEAs performed on 286 patients. There were 188 (65.7%) men and 98 (34.3%) women with a median age of 79 years (IQR, 69-83 years). We performed 257 (82.9%) AKA and 53 (17.1%) BKA. There were 49 (15.8%) early deaths, which did not differ among the age quartiles of this cohort (15.4% vs. 14.3% vs. 15.4% vs. 19.5%, P = 0.826). Binary logistic regression analysis identified age > 80 years (OR 2.24, 95% CI 1.17-4.31; P = 0.015), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (OR 2.12, 95% CI 1.11-4.06; P = 0.023), and hemodialysis (OR 2.52, 95% CI 1.15-5.52; P = 0.021) to be associated with early mortality. The final score (range 0-10) identified two subgroups with different mortality at 30 days: lower-risk (score < 4, 10.8%), and higher-risk (score ≥ 4: 28.7%; OR 3.2, 95% CI 1.63-6.32; P < 0.001). In our experience, mLEAs still have a 14% mortality rate over the years. Our lower-risk group (score < 4) is characterized by a lower rate of perioperative death and longer survival.

Risk factors for saphenous vein recanalization after endovenous radiofrequency ablation.

INTRODUCTION: Target vein recanalization is defined as the postoperative detection of blood flow in a venous segment previously ablated. It can be occurred after thermal-tumescent procedures, as radiofrequency (RFA) and endovenous laser (EVLA) ablation techniques. Despite several papers described and analyzed incidence and consequences of recanalization, limited data are published on risk factors for this condition. The aim of this general review is to investigate clinical and instrumental risk factors for great and small saphenous veins recanalization after RFA, indicating their impact in the follow-up period. EVIDENCE ACQUISITION: Articles were obtained through a detailed search of the scientific journal databases (PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science) for those published between January 1, 2011 to December 31, 2020. The term "radiofrequency venous ablation" was combined with "risk factors", "recanalization" and "recurrence", to obtain the first article cluster. EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS: Risk factors analysis for saphenous vein recanalization after ablation is not a well-studied problem. Although several studies have analyzed recanalization patterns and anatomical causes of ablation failure, few and disaggregate data are available regarding clinical preoperative risk factors. BMI and saphenous trunk diameter seem to be the only two recognized characteristics that may affect short and long-term recanalization rate, though CVI status, sex, target vein treatment length and others factors may be taken into account. CONCLUSIONS: Physicians should consider risk factors for recanalization in patient selection and treatment recommendations, but also recognize that not all "ablation failures" are of clinical relevance.

To drain or not to drain following carotid endarterectomy: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

INTRODUCTION: A postoperative neck hematoma can be a life-threatening complication after carotid endarterectomy necessitating urgent surgical decompression to avoid airway compromise. The practice of routine incisional drain placement is variable with few published studies evaluating the "to drain versus not to drain" approach. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of the safety and efficacy of neck drain placement for prevention of neck hematoma requiring re-exploration for decompression. EVIDENCE ACQUISITION: This study is a systematic review and meta-analysis performed using Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Pooled odds ratios with 95% confidence intervals were calculated for the outcome of surgical re-exploration for neck decompression among patients receiving or not receiving wound drainage. EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS: We identified 5 studies for inclusion, comprising 48,297 patients with 19,832 (41.1%) patients receiving a drain after carotid endarterectomy. Patients in the drain group had a significantly higher re-exploration rate after carotid endarterectomy compared to those who did not receive a drainage (OR=1.24, 95% CI: 1.03-1.49; P=0.02) with no heterogeneity (I2=0%). CONCLUSIONS: Routine drain placement does not offer complete protection against neck hematoma development and may give the surgeon a false sense of security in wound drainage. Thus, we conclude that drain placement following carotid endarterectomy should be selective, not routine.