Outsourcing models based on AHP and sensitive analysis for advanced health examination centers

Abstract

By outsourcing their needs to companies in which health care is provided, medical institutions do not require additional budgeting for construction equipment, materials and personnel management, thus maintaining the quality of medical treatment without the pressure of increasing hospital revenues to achieve such an undertaking. However, when hospitals examine the feasibility of outsourcing operations of a medical unit, the analytic hierarchy process and extension theory are seldom adopted to establish the objectivity and weights of the assessment criterion. Therefore, this study analyzes the factors that influence operational expenses of a hospital, e.g., equipment investment, peripheral consumptive materials, personnel costs and utilities, by integrating the analytic hierarchy process and extension theory to optimize decision making. Outsourcing-related factors are identified through an exhaustive literature review and consultation with experts in the field. Exactly how these individual factors are related to each other is then identified through use of AHP. Next, a questionnaire is submitted to hospital procurement professionals to examine the correct factors. Adopting the AHP-based assessment model can enable hospitals to generate revenues and save on equipment investment, peripheral consumptive materials, personnel costs and utilities. Decision making based on the AHP model can provide a valuable reference for public hospitals that seek outsourcing partners. In addition to enabling Department of Health authorities to understand the full implications of outsourcing, the AHP-based assessment model can help public hospitals to understand the nature of problems that arise during outsourcing when constructing a deluxe health examination center.