The Effectiveness of Maternal and Neonatal Refferal System in East Jakarta

Introduction: High maternal mortality rate in Indonesia reflected poor quality of health serviceswhich is affected by referral system. Health services’ referral system in Jakarta has never beenevaluated. This study is expected to give an input for prospective program. The purposes of thisstudy were determined competency, completeness facilities and application of health informationsystem (HIS) as part of the referral system. Methods: This study used a qualitative approach such as observation and discussion. Study wasconducted in East Jakarta, involving six Primary Health Center (Puskesmas), two District Hospitaland Referral Hospital. Results: All medical services in Puskesmas were done based on SOP. But there is no healthpersonnel had been trained PONED. Health personnel at the hospital were adequately competent,only at ER Department, not all personnel were appropriately trained. All health services facilitieshad proper facilities, except for ambulance, especially ambulance for newborns. Health Information System (HIS) was developed for each health services but not yet been connected each other.HIS development in Puskesmas was less compared to hospital. Referral of patients were still blocked, and there were miscommunication between health facilities due to lack of procedures. Conclusion: Health Referral system in East Jakarta have not been effective in the absence of astandard reference system agreed upon by health facilities. Application of HIS was also notoptimal to support the referral system. J Indon Med Assoc. 2012;62:428-34. Keywords: Health referral systems, Health Information Systems (HIS), Urban Health Program,East Jakarta.