Multicriterial analysis for the prioritization of technological alternatives for POCT blood gas equipment procurement in a high-complexity healthcare institution

Abstract

This study proposes a multi-criteria analysis for the prioritization of alternatives for POCT blood gas analysis equipment procurement in a high-complexity healthcare institution through the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP). This work is presented as a tool for hospitals and is based on the Health Technology Assessment (HTA) model that supports the decision-making process in the acquisition of medical equipment. For this, criteria, sub-criteria and assessment instruments were identified based on the Core and mini-HTA models, review of scientific articles and healthcare institution requirements for high-complexity healthcare. The proposed approach was applied to the procurement process of POCT equipment in a healthcare institution in the city of Santiago de Cali-Colombia. As a result, the current procurement process was simplified by identifying five criteria and eleven sub-criteria that allowed the prioritization of POCT blood gas analysis equipment alternatives. Furthermore, three criteria with greater relevance were identified in the technological selection process.