OBJECTIVE: To examine the medical referral pattern of patients received at the Muhimbili National Hospital (MNH) in order to inform the process of strengthening the referral system. METHODS: The study design was a prospective study conducted at MNH during a 10-week study period from January to March 2004. The study sample consisted of patients referred to MNH. RESULTS: Of the 11,412 patients seen, 72.5% were self-referrals. More than 70% of the patients seen required admission, though not necessarily at tertiary level. Only 0.8% came from outside the Dar es Salaam region. More than 70% of the patients seen required admission. Surgical services were required by 66.8% of patients, with obstetric conditions being most prominent (24.6% of all patients). For those who were formally referred from other health services, lack of expertise and equipment were the most common reasons given for referral (96.3%). CONCLUSION: Efforts to improve referral systems in low-income countries require that the primary and secondary level hospitals services be strengthened and increased so as to limit inappropriate use of national referral hospitals.
OBJECTIVE: To examine the medical referral pattern of patients received at the Muhimbili National Hospital (MNH) in order to inform the process of strengthening the referral system. METHODS: The study design was a prospective study conducted at MNH during a 10-week study period from January to March 2004. The study sample consisted of patients referred to MNH. RESULTS: Of the 11,412 patients seen, 72.5% were self-referrals. More than 70% of the patients seen required admission, though not necessarily at tertiary level. Only 0.8% came from outside the Dar es Salaam region. More than 70% of the patients seen required admission. Surgical services were required by 66.8% of patients, with obstetric conditions being most prominent (24.6% of all patients). For those who were formally referred from other health services, lack of expertise and equipment were the most common reasons given for referral (96.3%). CONCLUSION: Efforts to improve referral systems in low-income countries require that the primary and secondary level hospitals services be strengthened and increased so as to limit inappropriate use of national referral hospitals.
Authors: Jaymie Ang Henry; Chris Bem; Caris Grimes; Eric Borgstein; Nyengo Mkandawire; William E G Thomas; S William A Gunn; Robert H S Lane; Michael H Cotton Journal: World J Surg Date: 2015-04 Impact factor: 3.352
Authors: Margaret E Kruk; Andreas Wladis; Naboth Mbembati; S Khady Ndao-Brumblay; Renee Y Hsia; Moses Galukande; Sam Luboga; Alphonsus Matovu; Helder de Miranda; Doruk Ozgediz; Ana Romàn Quiñones; Peter C Rockers; Johan von Schreeb; Fernando Vaz; Haile T Debas; Sarah B Macfarlane Journal: PLoS Med Date: 2010-03-09 Impact factor: 11.069