Designing Sustainable Blood Distribution Networks: A Simulation Approach from the Bergamo Province Case Study

Managing the blood supply chain is a fundamental aspect of the healthcare system, as it involves collecting, storing, distributing, and using human blood for medical treatments. Given the perishable nature of blood, transportation must adhere to strict standards to preserve its integrity and ensure safety. This research aims to simulate various approaches to manage the blood distribution process from a central blood processing center to all the other smaller hospitals in the network. By analyzing these alternatives, the research seeks to propose potential strategies to improve the current system, with a particular focus on reducing waste and emissions and enhancing overall efficiency. The presented simulation model also supports decision-making processes for evaluating and implementing a new blood distribution strategy applied to a real case study. This research highlights the importance of finding the best compromise between costs and benefits based on the context priority and how a simulation tool could support this process.