Enhancing safety and risk management through an integrated spherical fuzzy approach for managing laboratory errors

Abstract

Hospital hazards and human errors pose a significant and complex problem, with rising incidents and irreversible consequences. Managing laboratory errors and risks is vital due to the presence of chemicals, electrical equipment, and the involvement of students, professors, and staff. The high value of laboratory equipment further underscores the need for robust risk management strategies. To address these challenges, researchers have explored the Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA) method for risk identification and assessment in healthcare settings. However, recognizing its limitations, this study aims to prioritize and evaluate laboratory errors using an integrated approach that combines the Best-Worst Method (BWM) and Complex Proportional Assessment with a Fuzzy Spherical Environment (CoCoSo-FSE). By applying the BWM, criteria such as severity, detectability, and occurrence probability are weighted to account for the nature of laboratory errors. The CoCoSo-FSE is then employed to evaluate and prioritize 18 identified laboratory errors, reducing uncertainty and enhancing decision-making. The fuzzy spherical set is used to address uncertainties by providing a flexible framework for decision-makers to define membership functions in specific spherical regions, enhancing the representation of knowledge and decision-making information. The proposed approach is compared with other decision-making methods, namely MOORA and COPRAS, demonstrating reliable ranking results. Sensitivity analysis confirms the stability of the approach's ranking when adjusting the flexibility parameter. This integrated approach offers a reliable and robust decision-making technique for managing laboratory errors, providing valuable insights to enhance laboratory safety and risk management for stakeholders, managers, and policymakers.