Multi-objective location-distribution optimization in blood supply chain: an application in Turkiye

Abstract

Purpose Blood donors are crucial in maintaining the blood supply chain. This study aims to improve the location and distribution of blood donation centers by focusing on two main objectives: minimizing costs and maximizing quality. Minimizing costs includes setting up and transporting blood efficiently while maximizing quality to ensure that blood products are delivered to hospitals promptly and in the right quantities.

Methods A multi-objective mathematical model is proposed to address the placement of both fixed and mobile blood donation centers. The first objective focuses on minimizing the costs of setting up centers and transporting blood. The second objective aims to maximize quality by ensuring timely deliveries and meeting hospitals’ blood demand. The model utilizes real-world traffic and blood donation data from urban settings to simulate its effectiveness and applicability in practice. The model uses the epsilon constraint method to optimize both objectives simultaneously.

Results The model was tested in various scenarios, optimizing cost and quality separately. The algorithm determined the ideal locations for blood donation centers to meet demand by exploring different options. It also accounted for factors that reduce quality, such as delayed deliveries and product returns, and showed that these issues could be minimized.

Conclusion This study highlights the need to balance cost and quality when determining the locations of blood donation centers. Using the epsilon constraint method, the model successfully optimized both objectives, offering valuable insights for improving the efficiency and effectiveness of blood donation operations.