Application of Delphi Method and Fuzzy Analytic Hierarchy Process in Modeling Environmental Performance Assessment in Urban Medical Centers

Abstract

Medical centers (that is, hospitals and clinics) in metropolitan areas produce substantial amounts of hazardous waste in both solid and liquid (wastewater) forms. Unless medical centers manage their waste with appropriate care, the significant hazards posed to urban residents and areas far outweigh the benefits of their services. Therefore, comprehensive environmental management programs need to be developed in order to minimize the associated impacts and improve environmental performance. In addition to identifying the environmental consequences, developing a comprehensive performance assessment program requires a deep understanding of the factors involved and their corresponding shares. Thus, the aim of this paper is to model environmental performance assessment in urban medical centers. Firstly, relevant criteria, sub-criteria and indicators were identified using the Delphi method. Next, Fuzzy Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) was applied to rank the factors and a balanced scoring was established to model the environmental performance assessment in medical centers. The adequate consistency index confirms Fuzzy AHP accuracy and consequently, the scores. The model was applied in Sarem Specialized Hospital in Tehran, Iran. The results indicate that the hospital has good environmental performance. The results show that the waste disinfection indicator, was rated the highest and most important index with a score of 84.The other indicators were ranked in terms of treated sewage and source separation of waste and application of mechanisms to control water consumption respectively with scores of 38, 26.5 and 25.