Selection of healthcare waste disposal firms using a multi-method approach

Abstract

The aim of this study is to propose a hybrid multi criteria decision making model with a linear programming (LP) model to tackle the issue of safe disposal of hazardous and infectious healthcare waste. For this, ten criteria in this study have been identified from literature and field surveys which are modelled using Decision making trial and evaluation (DEMATEL) and Analytic network process (ANP) methods to select the best disposal firm i.e. single sourcing for a hospital. We found that Experience of the firm, Technology for disposal, and Waste collection infrastructure acts as the most vital criteria in selecting a healthcare waste disposal firm for single sourcing. Furthermore, to optimize the total value of disposal and mitigating the risk involved in disposing waste through single sourcing; the LP model considering constraints such as waste lose constraint and waste processing constraint etc. Is solved for multiple sourcing using Lingo 18.0. The solution to LP results into allocation of 500, 500, and 1000 (kg/day) disposables to healthcare waste disposal firms D1, D2 and D3, respectively. The multi-method approach proposed in this study helps the hospital management in selecting economically, socially, and environmentally sustainable healthcare waste disposal firm.