Evaluation and Ranking of Blood Sampling Gloves in Clinical Laboratory Environments Using a Hybrid MEREC–VIKOR Approach

Authors

  • Mohammad Javad Arab Department of Mathematics, Faculty of Mathematical Sciences and Computer, Kharazmi University, Karaj, Iran.
  • Saeid Mehrabian Department of Mathematics, Faculty of Mathematical Sciences and Computer, Kharazmi University, Karaj, Iran. https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1765-8074
  • Pouria Solouki Zanjan University of Medical Sciences, Zanjan, Iran. https://orcid.org/0009-0002-3017-7336
  • Narges Jafari Zareh * Islamic Azad University, Sav.C., Saveh, Iran.

https://doi.org/10.22105/ahse.v2i3.47

Abstract

The optimal selection of blood sampling gloves in laboratory environments plays a vital role in ensuring personnel safety, preventing the transmission of infections, and maintaining the quality of clinical services. Despite the wide variety of available glove types and the numerous criteria influencing their selection, there is a clear need for an objective and comprehensive decision‑making framework in this field. In this study, the Method based on the Removal Effects of Criteria (MEREC) method was employed for criteria weighting and the VIšekriterijumska Optimizacija I Kompromisno Rešenje (VIKOR) method for ranking alternatives, in order to evaluate 20 commonly used blood sampling gloves based on 10 technical, safety, human, and economic criteria. The required data were collected through a 9‑point Likert questionnaire with the participation of 30 experts in occupational health and safety. The results indicated that nitrile gloves with lotion, powder‑free nitrile gloves, and blue nitrile gloves were identified as the best options, respectively. These findings emphasize that integrating performance characteristics (such as comfort and tactile sensitivity) with protective features (such as chemical and mechanical resistance) is essential in the selection of clinical gloves.

Keywords:

Multi criteria decision making, Method based on the removal effects of criteria, VIKOR, Blood sampling gloves, Laboratory safety

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Published

2025-08-23

How to Cite

Arab, M. J., Mehrabian, S., Solouki, P., & Jafari Zareh, N. (2025). Evaluation and Ranking of Blood Sampling Gloves in Clinical Laboratory Environments Using a Hybrid MEREC–VIKOR Approach. Annals of Healthcare Systems Engineering, 2(3), 174-185. https://doi.org/10.22105/ahse.v2i3.47

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