Referral system in the Asir region, Saudi Arabia: a study on hospital' referral coordination offices

ABSTRACT

Coordination offices for referring patients to hospital are relay stations for afferent and efferent communications with primary health care centres. Fourteen referral coordination offices in the Asir region were studied. The physical structure of the offices was such as to enable the staff to work in optimal conditions. The study revealed a lack of telephones in half of the offices. The numbers of persons employed [2.7 +/- 1.3] was satisfactory. On the other hand a lack of qualified trained workers and a high turnover of staff deprived the offices of the experience needed to maintain a good performance. A review of the registers showed that sufficient information was recorded in the form of personal data but there was a deficiency of data related to the referring centres. The knowledge and attitude of staff [38 persons] towards the referral system were assessed. The objective of feedback seemed to be clear and the majority showed a positive attitude towards the referral system and workload. The study revealed a lack of formal regulations and job descriptions. Immediate plans to upgrade the quality of the staff are mandatory if the quality of referral system and hence comprehensive patient care is to be guaranteed