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Organ transplantation logistics: a case for Turkey

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Abstract

Logistics is one of the key elements of organ transplantation operations. In this study, maximizing the potential compatible donor–recipient matches within the cold ischemia time bounds (duration that an organ can survive without blood supply) is the main problem that is addressed. While addressing this problem, the effects of clustering structures on the potential organ matches are investigated. We analyze Turkey’s organ transplantation logistics structure based on its dynamics and provide new mathematical models for maximizing potential-weighted intra-regional organ transplantation flow via evaluating different types of transportation modes while meeting the specified time bounds. This approach considers only maximizing the potential flow within a single time bound, so that it may not perform effectively for every organ type. To remedy this situation, another mathematical model that maximizes the potential flow of multiple organ types has also been developed. Additionally, in order to evaluate the performance of our results, using the outputs of the deterministic mathematical models, we developed a simulation model to mimic the uncertain environment realistically while being able to model the components of hierarchical systems. Extensive computational analysis using a variety of performance measures has revealed that Turkey’s organ transplantation network can be improved by re-clustering.

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Acknowledgements

The authors would like to express their gratitude to Dr. Kahveci, who is a member of National Organ and Tissue Transplant Board in Turkey, for his valuable comments and help in granting us access to the Turkish organ transplantation data.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Operations Management, Joseph L. Rotman School of Management, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada

    Sinem Savaşer

  2. Department of Management Sciences, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON, Canada

    Ömer Burak Kınay

  3. Department of Industrial Engineering, Bilkent University, Ankara, Turkey

    Bahar Yetis Kara

  4. Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering, Lehigh University, Bethlehem, PA, USA

    Pelin Cay

Authors
  1. Sinem Savaşer
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  2. Ömer Burak Kınay
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  3. Bahar Yetis Kara
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  4. Pelin Cay
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Bahar Yetis Kara.

Additional information

S. Savaşer, Ö. B. Kınay: This research was initiated when the author was at Department of Industrial Engineering, Bilkent University, Ankara, Turkey.

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Savaşer, S., Kınay, Ö.B., Kara, B.Y. et al. Organ transplantation logistics: a case for Turkey. OR Spectrum 41, 327–356 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00291-018-0538-y

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