• Saima Salman, Syed Ghazanfar Saleem, Adeel Khatri, Imran Jamal, Quratulain Maroof, and Ashar Alam.
• Saima Salman, Emergency Department, The Indus Hospital, Karachi, Pakistan.
• Pak J Med Sci. 2020 May 1; 36 (COVID19-S4): S118-S120.

ObjectiveTo discuss the referral mechanisms established for safe and expeditious inter-facility transfer of COVID 19 positive patients to ensure their referrals through establishing proper communication channels.MethodsMobile phone and WhatsApp based groups, administrated by The Indus Hospital were established in April 2020. Through detailed reports and frequent communication, factors like bed and ventilator availability across these facilities are shared. Weekly reports through zoom meetings updating the key stake holders, discussion of problems faced and planning for the week ahead are also done.ResultThe establishment of these groups has been successful in ensuring referral to and from The Indus Hospital to various healthcare facilities across Karachi using appropriate ambulance services.ConclusionThe development of referral mechanisms is the need of the day that has been highlighted through the COVID 19 pandemic. It is our hope that these mechanisms are sustained after the pandemic and result in improvement in patient outcome through proper referrals.Copyright: © Pakistan Journal of Medical Sciences.

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