Journal of

Background and purpose: The laundry unit is one of the most critical support services in a hospital. Optimizing processes and implementing effective management strategies in this unit can significantly impact cost management. This study aims to examine various aspects of hospital laundry units.
Methods: This research was conducted across the teaching hospitals affiliated with Tehran University of Medical Sciences. The study employed a multi-step approach. First, the most crucial performance criteria for laundry units were identified through a fuzzy Delphi technique, consulting 20 experts in the field. These criteria were then weighted using the Step-wise Weight Assessment Ratio Analysis (SWARA) method. Finally, hospitals were ranked using the VIseKriterijumska Optimizacija I Kompromisno Resenje (VIKOR) method.
Results: The analysis of main criteria in the laundry unit revealed the following significance levels: "performance criteria" (56%), "equipment and facilities" (28%), and "cost management" (16%). Among the sub-criteria, "process" emerged as the top priority with a weight of 0.285, followed by "general laundry section regulations" (0.155), "safety and health" (0.139), and "general" (0.081).
Conclusion: The findings highlight the paramount importance of the "process" sub-criterion in hospital laundries. Consequently, we recommend updating guidelines for linen collection, washing, maintenance, and distribution. Furthermore, given that "general laundry section regulations" ranked as the second priority, we suggest implementing clear separation of dirty and clean pathways within the laundry unit and establishing a system for continuous recording and weighing of received garments. These measures can significantly enhance overall process management and cost efficiency.