Characteristics of referral neonates in Sanglah Hospital: reviewed from the S.T.A.B.L.E program

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate the number of referral neonates that came with an unstable condition (according to a S.T.A.B.L.E program) and characteristic of unstable conditions of the referred neonates. An observational prospective study was conducted for two years from 1st January 2018 to 31st December 2019 in the Emergency Department of Sanglah Hospital, Bali, Indonesia. Referred neonates were assessed in terms of gender, gestational age, referral characteristic, and condition on arrival at the hospital according to S.T.A.B.L.E criteria. According to S.T.A.B.L.E criteria, 283 neonates (54.8%) came on unstable condition. Prematurity (42.6%) was the main reason for referral, 37.9% of them were very low birth weight. Most of them were referred from Denpasar (33.9%), the equipment of transportation was incubator transport (41.8%). T-piece resuscitator was used in 30.4% of referred neonates. Characteristics of unstable conditions were mostly hypoglycemia (33%) and 36% of unstable neonates had more than one condition of instability. This study revealed 283 neonates were unstable and the main reason of transfer neonates is prematurity. Most of them come with unstable conditions that could lead to higher mortality. This study could be a reference for improvement in the neonatal transportation system in Bali.