Bihar Plans Tech-Enabled Patient Referral System, Unified 102 & 108 Ambulance Network

PMCH, AIIMS-Patna, NMCH, and IGIMS have been selected for a pilot project to test the technology-enabled patient referral system.

Bihar has moved to strengthen its patient referral system with technology, with Health Minister Nishant Kumar directing officials to integrate referrals digitally and bring 102 and 108 ambulance services under a unified emergency network to reduce delays in critical care.

The initiative has focused on creating a technology-enabled referral ecosystem where ambulances, hospitals and control centres can share information in real time.

Under the proposed system, ambulances handling emergency referrals will record patients' vital parameters and transmit the information directly to a central control centre.

During a review meeting at the State Health Society, Kumar directed officials to make real-time hospital bed availability accessible through a central dashboard.

PMCH, AIIMS-Patna, NMCH, and IGIMS have been selected for a pilot project to test the technology-enabled patient referral system.

Ambulances participating in the pilot will have kiosks displaying real-time information on bed availability at government hospitals.

Patient locations will also be shared with receiving hospitals, allowing facilities to prepare for arrivals and potentially speed up the referral process.

The health minister also reviewed Bihar's 104 health helpline and telemedicine services, asking officials to explore their integration with e-Sanjeevani.

He further stressed the use of artificial intelligence to analyse patient data and support healthcare decision-making.

Officials have been asked to connect AI, telemedicine, smart ambulances and referral services into a coordinated system designed to help patients reach the appropriate hospital and specialist without unnecessary delays.

The proposed integration could strengthen continuity of care, particularly for critically ill patients requiring transfer between healthcare facilities. By combining real-time data on patient condition, ambulance location and hospital capacity, the system aims to improve coordination across Bihar's emergency and referral services.

The development builds on Bihar's ongoing push towards digitally connected healthcare. The state's six-crore health screening campaign, launched on September 2, includes plans to maintain citizens' health information digitally and connect patients requiring further treatment with appropriate healthcare facilities.

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