BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Performance indicators are important tools for the planning, organization, and coordination of hospital services in geographical regions and utilization of medical facilities within the covered populations. This study aimed to evaluate performance indicators and frequency of patient referrals in the hospitals affiliated to Babol University of Medical Sciences, Iran in 2013. 

METHODS: In this retrospective study, data of 9, 513 patients admitted to the hospitals affiliated to Babol University of Medical Sciences were extracted from medical records using a systematic random approach in 2013. Evaluation of the collected data was performed using the standard forms of the Iranian Ministry of Health and Medical Education.

FINDINGS: In this study, Ayatollah Rohani Hospital had the highest bed occupancy rate (BOR) (82%), while Shahid Rajayi Hospital had the lowest BOR (55%). Mean age of the referred patients to the evaluated hospitals was 40.61±23.56 years. In addition, 26.4% of the patients were residents outside Babol city at the time of the study. The majority of these patients (79.4%) referred to Shahid Rajayi Hospital, while the lowest rate of referrals was reported in Shahid Yahyanejhad Hospital (8.7%). Moreover, a significant difference was observed between the mode of discharge and type of insurance of the patients (p=0.000). However, no significant difference was found in the mode of referral to the hospitals.

CONCLUSION: According to the results of this study, a significant proportion of patient referrals to the hospitals affiliated to Babol University of Medical Sciences were from the towns and villages in the vicinity of Babol city. Therefore, it is recommended that the Ministry of Health and Medical Education allocate the required budget to provide necessary facilities and equipment in these healthcare centers.