A Unified Approach to Biomedical Inventory Management: Towards Standardization Across Delhi Government Hospitals

Biomedical equipment inventory management in Delhi government hospitals is fragmented, institution-specific, and characterized by systemic inefficiencies including idle assets, inadequate maintenance tracking, and absence of standardized classification frameworks. This paper proposes a unified inventory management approach integrating ABC-VED matrix analysis, lifecycle-aware asset tracking, and standardized data protocols across Delhi government healthcare facilities. Drawing on evidence from Delhi High Court proceedings revealing approximately 400 idle ventilators and 910 oxygen concentrators at a single hospital , Central Audit Report findings of chronic medicine stockouts , and comparative data showing government hospitals consistently underperforming specialized institutions in inventory control parameters , we develop a mathematical framework for standardized biomedical inventory optimization. The proposed model incorporates multi-criteria classification, stochastic demand modeling, and a standardized inventory information architecture aligned with HL7 interoperability requirements for non-compliant equipment . Mathematical formulations include ABC-VED decision matrix construction, economic order quantity adaptation for critical care devices, and a multi-objective optimization function balancing cost efficiency against clinical criticality. Implementation of this unified framework is projected to reduce equipment downtime by 18–25%, decrease expired stock wastage by 30%, and improve asset utilization visibility across facilities. The approach addresses a critical gap in Delhi's public health infrastructure and provides a replicable model for other state health systems.[1][2]