An analytic process model for selection of infectious waste management contractors

Abstract

Infectious or bio-medical waste so far has not received its due attention. Hospitals in developing countries dispose large amounts of medical waste inefficiently, creating potential environmental hazards and increasing operational expenses, along with the Municipal Solid Waste (MSW). The hospitals lack objective criteria to select the most appropriate waste disposal firm and evaluate its performance, relying on their own subjective judgment and previous experiences. This paper presents an Analytic Network Process (ANP) methodology to objectively select infectious waste disposal contractors. The suggested methodology would reduce overhead costs and enhance medical waste management. Copyright 2011 Inderscience Enterprises Ltd.