A group decision making process for facility layout in hospital clinical laboratories

Area of Science:

• Clinical laboratory science
• Healthcare facility planning
• Operations research

Background:

• Quantitative and computer-based models offer valuable tools for clinical laboratory layout planning.
• However, these models often overlook crucial qualitative and personal factors during the finalization stages.
• Effective facility design requires integrating diverse considerations beyond purely numerical data.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe a group decision-making process for clinical laboratory facility layout planning.
• To demonstrate the application of this process in a real-world setting.
• To highlight the importance of incorporating qualitative factors alongside quantitative models.

Main Methods:

• Development of a structured group decision-making framework.
• Application of the framework to a case study involving a Chemistry/Hematology department.
• Integration of quantitative data with qualitative feedback and expert judgment.

Main Results:

• Successful application of the group decision-making process in planning the Chemistry/Hematology department layout.
• Demonstration of how qualitative and personal factors can be systematically incorporated.
• Identification of key decision points and consensus-building strategies.

Conclusions:

• A hybrid approach combining quantitative modeling with qualitative group decision-making is superior for clinical laboratory layout.
• The described process provides a practical methodology for optimizing healthcare facility design.
• Considering human and qualitative elements leads to more effective and accepted laboratory layouts.