Assessing the Impact of E-Referral System on Emergency Room Nurses during Hospital Referral

The increasing adoption of electronic referral (E-Referral) systems has transformed hospital referral processes by improving communication, coordination, and continuity of patient care. However, the effectiveness of these systems largely depends on the experiences and competencies of emergency room (ER) nurses who serve as primary users during inter-facility referrals. This study aimed to assess the impact of the E-Referral System on ER nurses during hospital referrals. Specifically, it determined the demographic profile of ER nurses; identified the challenges encountered in terms of workload, stress levels, and decision-making; evaluated the impact of the E-Referral System on workflow efficiency in terms of system usability, training adequacy, and interoperability; examined the relationships between demographic profile, challenges encountered, and workflow efficiency; and proposed strategies to improve E-Referral implementation. The study employed a descriptive quantitative-correlational research design involving ER nurses from selected hospitals utilizing an E-Referral System. Data were collected using a validated structured questionnaire and analyzed through descriptive statistics and appropriate inferential tests. Findings are expected to provide evidence on the operational strengths and limitations of the E-Referral System and identify areas requiring enhancement, particularly in user training, system usability, and interoperability. The results will serve as a basis for developing evidence-based recommendations that can strengthen digital referral processes, improve emergency nursing workflow, and support hospital administrators and policymakers in optimizing technology-enabled referral systems for quality patient care.