- Every case must be reported to SKKM via ASOS the moment dispatch is confirmed (Article 17/2).
- The ambulance crew records the complete case form on a mobile device throughout the mission (Article 18).
- If a call is declined, the caller must be told how to get help elsewhere (Article 17).
When someone calls a licensed private ambulance service in Turkey, a regulated workflow begins immediately. Articles 16, 17, and 18 of the 2025 Ambulance Regulation define exactly how calls must be handled, how dispatch works, and what documentation the crew must complete. [1]
Step 1: Receiving the Call (Article 16)
A call can be made by the patient, a family member, or a third party — either in person or by phone. In certain situations, SKKM (the Health Command and Control Center) may also dispatch a private ambulance crew directly.
Step 2: Call Assessment and Accept/Decline (Article 17)
Article 15(3) of the regulation defines the call handler's role explicitly: "The call handler is responsible for evaluating the calls received by the ambulance service and, under the coordination of the consultant physician, dispatching the ambulances to the case." [3] The call handler (çağrı karşılayıcı) evaluates the call against the service's current capacity, crew qualifications, and equipment status:
- If accepted → case opened and dispatch confirmed
- If declined → the caller must be told exactly how their need can be met elsewhere
The regulation does not permit a simple "we can't help" response without redirection guidance.
Step 3: SKKM Notification via ASOS (Article 17/2)
As soon as a call is accepted and dispatch confirmed, the case must be opened in ASOS and SKKM notified. Case tracking begins here and continues until the mission is closed. ASOS is defined in the regulation as "the information system used in carrying out pre-hospital emergency health services and patient transport services...where every kind of record and operation is performed." [3] Operationally, the system sits under the Ministry of Health's Directorate General for Emergency Health and Disaster Services. [4]
Step 4: Crew Response (Article 18)
Once SKKM has acknowledged the case, the ambulance crew travels to the patient's location, provides the required emergency care or transport, and ensures the patient's safety throughout. Article 18(1) states: "The ambulance crew that has reached the location of the patient or injured person performs the necessary medical emergency care or transport." [3] The crew member who is not driving remains in the patient compartment at all times during transport.
Step 5: Case Record (Annex-12 Form)
The crew records every action in the ambulance case record form (Annex-12) via the mobile device. This includes:
- Patient demographic and condition data
- All interventions performed
- Timestamps for departure, arrival, and handover
- Destination hospital and receiving team details
If the mobile device is unavailable, the form is completed on paper, then scanned and uploaded within 24 hours. The Emergency Medicine Association of Turkey (TATD) emphasises that pre-hospital programmes must "support the training and development" of the professionals who staff these calls — precise documentation grows directly out of that training pipeline. [5] The WHO's Emergency & Critical Care team also publishes a "prehospital toolkit" of products designed to strengthen pre-hospital systems globally; ASOS is the Turkish realisation of that direction. [6]
Step 6: SKKM Closure (Article 18/4)
The completed case record is submitted to SKKM for approval within 24 hours of the mission. Only after SKKM approves does the case close in ASOS.
Frequently Asked Questions
What if Nova Ambulans cannot take my call right now?
If we are at capacity, our call handler will tell you clearly what alternative options are available — including 112 — and how to reach them. We do not simply decline without guidance.
Is the case record accessible to the patient?
Patients have data subject rights under KVKK. You may request access to your case record by contacting our responsible manager.
What is the role of the consultant physician during a call?
During business hours, a consultant physician is present in our call center to advise on case management. Outside business hours, the physician is reachable for consultation (Article 15/1).
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This content is informational only and does not replace professional medical evaluation. In emergencies, call 112 or +90 216 339 00 39.