Accident & Emergency Centre

Welcome to the Accident and Emergency Centre of the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital

The Accident and Emergency Centre (A&E) at Korle Bu Teaching Hospital is the critical care point for trauma, medical, and surgical emergencies. Open 24/7, we receive both referred and self-presenting patients from across the Greater Accra Region, other regions in Ghana, and even the West African subregion. Serving as the primary entry point for in-patient admissions, the A&E department is a vital gateway for patients who require specialized care in departments such as Surgery, and Internal Medicine and Therapeutics.

Our Leadership and Staff

Under the leadership of Dr. Frederick Kwarteng, who also serves as the head of Trauma and Orthopaedics, the department is dedicated to providing exceptional emergency care. Our team includes a diverse group of healthcare professionals, including medical officers, emergency medicine residents (both junior and senior), and highly trained emergency medicine physicians and fellows. The department also boasts a robust nursing staff of approximately 214, including emergency nurse specialists, emergency nurses, and other dedicated nursing personnel. In addition, our multidisciplinary team is supported by pharmacists, administrative staff, and other specialists. This ensures that patients receive the highest level of care.

Core Functions of the Accident and Emergency Centre

Emergency Care Services

The department provides comprehensive emergency care, including resuscitation and stabilization of patients with a variety of surgical, trauma, and medical conditions. Our skilled team performs a wide range of emergency procedures such as resuscitation, suturing, intubation, chest tube insertion, central line insertion, and point-of-care ultrasound.

Training and Education

The A&E Centre is a hub for medical education and training. Since 2021, we have been running an emergency medicine residency programme under the Ghana College of Physicians and Surgeons (GCPS). Our residency programmes include both membership and fellowship training. In addition, we serve as a training site for nurse residents pursuing emergency medicine nursing certification through the Ghana College of Nurses and Midwives (GCNM).

Research and Data

The department is rich in clinical data that plays a critical role in advancing emergency medicine research. With the integration of electronic medical records through the Lightwave Health Information Management System (LHIMS), data retrieval has become more streamlined, and this enables research that informs best practices and improves patient care outcomes.

Clinical Areas and Patient Flow

The A&E Centre is designed to manage a high volume of diverse emergencies efficiently. It consists of several specialised clinical areas:

• Triage Area: The first point of entry where patients are assessed and categorised based on the severity of their condition.
• Casualty/Trauma Area: Dedicated to managing severe trauma cases.
• Examination Room/Holding Bay: For initial assessments and stabilisation.
• Pharmacy & Wards: Our well-equipped pharmacy, along with four wards—Red, Yellow, Orange, and CDU (Critical Decision Unit)—ensure that patients receive the right care at the right time.

Patients are prioritised according to the South African Triage Scale (SATS), which uses vital signs and clinical parameters (like blood pressure, heart rate, and neurologic status) to determine the urgency of care. Patients with the highest need are classified as “Red” and are attended to immediately, while those in less critical conditions are directed to appropriate care or referred to the Korle Bu Polyclinic.

Support Services

The Accident and Emergency Centre is equipped with a range of support units to ensure smooth operations and quality care delivery:

1. In-house Pharmacy
2. 24-hour A/E Laboratory
3. In-house X-ray Unit
4. Casualty/Minor Procedure Theatre

Meet Our Team

Head of Department

• Dr. Frederick Kwarteng, MD, Head of A&E & Trauma and Orthopedics

Emergency Medicine Fellows

• Dr. Kwame Ekremet
• Dr. Joojo Takyi

Emergency Medicine Specialists

• Dr. Henry Bulley
• Dr. Nana Serwaa Quao
• Dr. Felicia B. Freeman
• Dr. Aba K. Yorke
• Dr. Fofie Dukely

Core Management Team

• Dr. Frederick Kwarteng, Head of Department
• Dr. Henry Bulley, Clinical Coordinator
• Mr. Desmond Osenda, Pharmacist
• Mr. Stannand Mahama, Administrator
• Mrs. Mavis Badu-Peprah, DDNS
• Mr. Henry Owoo, Accountant
• Mrs. Florence Onyameh, HR Manager
• Mrs. Adelaide Adade, Supply Chain Officer
• Mr. Benjamin Bello, IT Officer
• Mr. Eric Korda, Principal Hospitality Manager
• Mr. Nana Odoom, Engineer
• Dr. Angela Hutchful

At Korle Bu’s Accident and Emergency Centre, our commitment to excellence ensures that every patient receives timely, compassionate, and life-saving care. Whether it’s immediate emergency care, advanced training, or cutting-edge research, we are always prepared to meet the needs of our patients and community.