Using Bottleneck Analysis to Improve Neonatal Emergency Referral and Transport in Surabaya City, Indonesia

In Indonesia, weaknesses in the neonatal emergency referral and transport system have been identified as important factors in preventable neonatal deaths. To address this, a bottleneck analysis study was conducted in Surabaya using the modified Tanahashi model to identify bottlenecks in four key domains: supply, demand, quality, and the enabling environment. A mixed-method approach was employed. Qualitative data from interviews and focus groups identified gaps and underlying causes. Tracer indicators were used for targeted quantitative data collection through Health Facility Assessments and secondary data review to measure the gap extent. Primary health care facilities lacked trained staff, and bed shortages delayed transfers. Nonstandardized processes hindered transfer efficiency and affected neonatal care at specialized hospitals. Systemic weaknesses were found in data collection, monitoring, interagency coordination, and policy implementation. The bottleneck analysis framework effectively identified critical gaps and guided strategic prioritization for system improvement. Findings highlight the need for reviewing facility standards, modifying staff training, streamlining referral processes, establishing clear oversight roles for referral and prioritizing systematic monitoring and evaluation. The selected tracer indicators offer a framework for assessing neonatal emergency referral systems in other resource-limited settings, supporting efforts to improve neonatal survival through more effective referral and transport mechanisms.