Evaluating Sterilization Services in Healthcare: A Multi‐Criteria Decision‐Making Approach to In‐House Versus Outsourced Options

BACKGROUND: This study investigates whether the management of sterilization services in healthcare facilities should be handled internally or outsourced to an external company. In this context, the aim of the study is to identify factors influencing sterilization services, prioritize them, and rank alternative strategies using multi-criteria decision-making techniques. METHODS: We introduce a hybrid method to select the optimal sterilization service for healthcare institutions. This method involves determining criteria and alternatives for sterilization services, collecting data from experts, determining the weights of factors affecting the type of sterilization service using the Bayesian BWM method, and finally identifying the optimal sterilization service using the Fuzzy TOPSIS method. The study is conducted as a real case study at a university hospital in Türkiye. We also conducted a sensitivity and comparative analysis to ensure the robustness and reliability of the proposed decision-making model, and to provide more precise and meaningful outcomes. RESULTS: The results of the study indicate that "Adaptation to technological developments" is the most effective criterion for all participants, and outsourcing sterilization services is the dominant view according to the criteria. CONCLUSIONS: The study highlights the significance of integrating technological advancements into the management of sterilization services within healthcare facilities. It offers decision-makers a comprehensive framework to make informed choices about sterilization service management, thereby enhancing patient care and operational efficiency in healthcare facilities. Additionally, it offers guidance to decision-makers, enabling them to make more suitable decisions and policies in sterilization service management.