Ashanti Region EMTs Trained On Digital Referral System To Strengthen Emergency Referrals

Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs) from ambulance stations across the Ashanti Region have successfully completed a four-day Training of Trainers programme on the Integrated Bed Management and Referral Coordination System (IBMRCS), a digital platform designed to enhance coordination between the National Ambulance Service (NAS) and health facilities. Held at the Ashanti Regional Dispatch Centre, the training equipped participants with the knowledge and practical skills required to effectively use the system and train other EMTs within their respective stations, paving the way for its successful implementation across the Region. The IBMRCS provides real-time information on hospital bed availability, capacity and services, enabling EMTs and Dispatch personnel to make informed referral decisions and facilitate the timely transfer of patients to appropriate health facilities. The introduction of the system is expected to significantly improve referral coordination, reduce delays in patient handovers and support efforts to address the challenge commonly referred to as the “No Bed Syndrome.” By providing accurate and up-to-date information on healthcare facility capacity, the platform will help ensure that patients are transported to facilities that are better positioned to receive and manage their conditions. Participants commended the initiative and expressed confidence that the system would contribute to more efficient emergency medical response, shorter ambulance waiting times at health facilities and improved patient outcomes. As part of the rollout strategy, the trained EMTs will serve as trainers within their stations, transferring the knowledge acquired to colleagues and supporting the wider adoption of the digital referral system throughout the Ashanti Region. The National Ambulance Service remains committed to leveraging technology and innovation to strengthen prehospital emergency care delivery and improve access to timely, coordinated and patient-centred emergency medical services across Ghana.