Balancing the aquatic export supply chain strategy- A case study of the Vietnam pangasius industry

COVID-19 has called more attention to the importance of supply chains (SCs) in the global food market. The supply chain for Vietnamese pangasius is expanding at a rapid rate, and export shares are changing in the EU, the US, China, and ASEAN markets. Increased international competition in the whitefish market and other emerging Asian markets have forced the Vietnam pangasius industry to re-examine its SC strategy. The questions raised are: Should the pangasius industry employ a responsive SC, where aquatic products achieve international certificates and respond to consumer demand, or embrace a cost-efficient supply chain with large export volumes, low selling prices, and increased stakeholder profits? Based on the concepts of cost responsiveness and efficient frontier, using time series data for 2010–2019, we attempted to identify and describe the factors influencing Vietnamese pangasius strategic balance along this frontier. Vietnam's pangasius strategic balance is between a responsive supply chain and a cost-effective SC with greater emphasis on responsive supply chain management. However, there is insufficient attention to changing consumer trends and demands, and although the laws directing each node of the supply chain are numerous, there is inadequate enforcement and oversight of their implementation. The strategy of cost minimization is facing many challenges: the market share is declining in some major markets, profits have tightened due to low selling prices, there is competition with other whitefish species, and distribution channels have improved but remain inefficient. The recommendation requires the adoption of a supply chain strategy that balances between a cost-efficient and a responsive chain for the pangasius industry to remain competitive. • Vietnam's pangasius strategic balance is between responsive and cost-effective supply chain. • A need exists for enforcement and oversight of regulation of trends in consumer demand. • The strategy for a lower price fish improves sales as consumer income increases. • Constant tweakingof the supply chain is necessary to balance between a cost-efficient chain and a responsive chain. [ FROM AUTHOR]

Balancing the aquatic export supply chain strategy- A case study of the Vietnam pangasius industry

COVID-19 has called more attention to the importance of supply chains (SCs) in the global food market. The supply chain for Vietnamese pangasius is expanding at a rapid rate, and export shares are changing in the EU, the US, China, and ASEAN markets. Increased international competition in the whitefish market and other emerging Asian markets have forced the Vietnam pangasius industry to re-examine its SC strategy. The questions raised are: Should the pangasius industry employ a responsive SC, where aquatic products achieve international certificates and respond to consumer demand, or embrace a cost-efficient supply chain with large export volumes, low selling prices, and increased stakeholder profits? Based on the concepts of cost responsiveness and efficient frontier, using time series data for 2010–2019, we attempted to identify and describe the factors influencing Vietnamese pangasius strategic balance along this frontier. Vietnam's pangasius strategic balance is between a responsive supply chain and a cost-effective SC with greater emphasis on responsive supply chain management. However, there is insufficient attention to changing consumer trends and demands, and although the laws directing each node of the supply chain are numerous, there is inadequate enforcement and oversight of their implementation. The strategy of cost minimization is facing many challenges: the market share is declining in some major markets, profits have tightened due to low selling prices, there is competition with other whitefish species, and distribution channels have improved but remain inefficient. The recommendation requires the adoption of a supply chain strategy that balances between a cost-efficient and a responsive chain for the pangasius industry to remain competitive.

Pandemic Operating Room Supply Shortage and Surgical Site Infection: Considerations as We Emerge from the Coronavirus Disease 2019 Pandemic.

BACKGROUND: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic created shortages of operating room (OR) supplies, forcing healthcare systems to make concessions regarding "standard" OR attire. At our institution, we were required to reduce shoe covers, reuse face masks, and allow washable head coverings. We determined if these changes affected surgical site infection (SSI) rates. STUDY DESIGN: A single institutional study was performed to compare the SSI rates reported to the National Healthcare Safety Network in the 2 years preceding COVID-19 (PRE, January 1, 2018, to December 31, 2020) with the first 12 months after the pandemic (POST, April 1, 2020, to March 31, 2021). We confirmed our findings using propensity score matching and multivariate analysis. RESULTS: Elimination of traditional shoe covers, disposable head covers, and single-use face masks was associated with a decreased SSI rate from 5.1% PRE to 2.6% POST (p < 0.001). Furthermore, this was despite a 14% increase in surgical volume and an increase in the number of contaminated/dirty cases (2.2% PRE vs 7.4% POST, p < 0.001). Use of disposable face masks decreased by 4.3-fold during this period from 3.5 million/y PRE to 0.8 million/y POST. Of note, inpatient hand hygiene throughout the hospital increased from 71% PRE to 85% POST (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: This analysis has practical applications as we emerge from the pandemic and make decisions regarding OR attire. These data suggest that disposable head covers and shoe covers and frequent changes of face masks are unnecessary, and discontinuation of these practices will have significant cost and environmental implications. These data also reinforce the importance of good hand hygiene for infection prevention.

Resident and Family Engagement in Care Conferences: Important Processes and Supporting Strategies

Self-determination is a core value of person-centered care. Research has shown residents and families want to be involved in decisions about care. Care conferences are one existing structure where residents and families can engage in decision-making about care goals. However, there are few tools to support effective engagement. To inform future tool development, this study sought to understand what resident and family stakeholders value about engaging in care conferences. In virtual meetings, 16 stakeholders identified 3 key areas of engagement: being informed about health/well-being, influencing care goals, and advocating for needs. They indicated current approaches do not achieve these engagement goals, which is particularly problematic during COVID when families cannot engage in person. Stakeholders offered ideas for supporting engagement such as provision of data before the conference. The study has implications for individualizing care conferences and encouraging resident and family engagement in decision-making both during and beyond COVID.