Assessment of Environmental Sustainability Practices in Healthcare Facilities by Employing Fuzzy-AHP

Background/Purpose: This study primarily aims to identify and rank the criteria employed in assessing practices that promote environmental sustainability in healthcare facilities, grounded in their relative significance and weighted contributions. Methods: The criteria determined within the scope of evaluation of environmental sustainability practices were analyzed with Fuzzy-AHP (Analytical Hierarchy Process), which is one of the Multi-Criteria Decision-Making Techniques. In this context, the opinions of 5 participants who were experts in the fields of health management, environment and air conditioning, public health and real estate evaluation were received. Results: The most important criterion used to evaluate applications to increase environmental sustainability in healthcare facilities is “Energy Efficiency” with a normalized weight score of 37.3%. It is followed by “Waste Reduction and Environmental Impact” (22.8%) and “Cost Effectiveness” (12.2%), respectively. In this direction, the first 3 criteria represent an important part with a weight score of 72.3%. “Technological Compliance” was determined as the least important criterion with a weight of 3.8%. Conclusion: As a result, the complementary structure of these criteria increases the effectiveness of environmental sustainability strategies in healthcare facilities and makes significant contributions to sustainable healthcare service delivery. Therefore, healthcare facility managers’ prioritization of these criteria in their selection processes regarding environmental sustainability practices will strengthen the environmental performance of the facilities while also supporting their financial sustainability.