The use of Electronic Medical Records (EMR) in primary healthcare centers in Sukabumi Regency has improved data recording and service efficiency, but full integration across services remains incomplete. These findings come from a 2026 peer-reviewed study conducted by Saprudin and colleagues from Universitas Djuanda, Bogor, published in the International Journal of Applied Research and Sustainable Sciences (IJARSS). The research matters because Puskesmas are the frontline of Indonesia’s public health system, and their readiness determines the success of national health digitalization.
The research analyzed how EMR systems are implemented in several Puskesmas across Sukabumi Regency and how well they support integrated healthcare services. While digital records are already in use, the study shows that many units still operate in silos, limiting the potential of EMR to support comprehensive and data-driven healthcare delivery.
Why EMR Integration Matters
Indonesia is accelerating its health sector digital transformation through the national SATUSEHAT platform. EMR systems at the Puskesmas level are expected to supply accurate, real-time data to support patient care, disease surveillance, and health policy planning. Without proper integration, however, digital systems risk becoming administrative tools rather than strategic assets.
Sukabumi Regency provides a relevant case. The region covers a large and geographically diverse area, with varying levels of infrastructure readiness. This makes it an important example of the challenges faced by many districts outside major urban centers.
How the Study Was Conducted
The research used a qualitative descriptive approach supported by field data from selected Puskesmas in Sukabumi Regency. The authors collected information through interviews with health workers and administrators, direct observations, and reviews of health service documents.
To structure the analysis, the study applied a simple Input–Process–Output–Outcome (IPOO) framework:
- Input: infrastructure, human resources, and digital systems
- Process: how EMR is used in daily healthcare services
- Output: quality and speed of health services
- Outcome: broader impact on service integration and decision-making
This approach allowed the researchers to clearly identify where EMR implementation works and where it breaks down.
Key Findings from Sukabumi
The study highlights several important findings:
- EMR adoption is already in place in most Puskesmas, replacing paper-based medical records.
- Data recording is faster and more accurate, reducing administrative errors and duplication.
- Integration across service units remains limited, especially between registration, clinical services, pharmacy, and laboratories.
- Connection to the national SATUSEHAT platform exists, with an average data transmission rate of 74.13 percent in 2025, but consistency varies.
- Infrastructure gaps such as unstable internet access and limited hardware remain common, particularly in remote areas.
- Digital skills among health workers are uneven, affecting the consistency of EMR use.
The researchers note that EMR is still mainly used as a digital archive rather than as a tool for analyzing health trends or supporting strategic decisions.
Human Resources and Organizational Challenges
Beyond technology, the study emphasizes human and organizational factors. Some health workers are still adapting to digital workflows after years of manual record-keeping. Limited training and high workloads reduce the time available to fully utilize EMR features.
Leadership also plays a key role. Puskesmas with strong managerial support show better adoption and more consistent data use. Where leadership attention is weak, EMR tends to be used only to meet reporting requirements.
According to Saprudin from Universitas Djuanda, digital systems cannot succeed without people who understand and trust them. He explains that digital health tools must be embedded into daily routines, not treated as an additional burden.
Implications for Public Health Policy
The findings have important implications for local and national policymakers. EMR systems can strengthen primary healthcare, but only if supported by sustained investment and coordination.
Key policy implications include:
- Targeted funding for digital infrastructure, especially internet connectivity in rural Puskesmas
- Continuous training programs for health workers to improve digital literacy
- Standardized operating procedures to ensure consistent EMR use across regions
- Stronger local leadership to integrate EMR into service management and planning
If these steps are taken, EMR data can support disease monitoring, resource allocation, and evidence-based health policies.
Impact on Communities and Healthcare Services
For patients, better EMR integration means shorter waiting times, clearer medical histories, and smoother referrals. For health authorities, it means access to reliable data for planning vaccination programs, maternal health services, and chronic disease management.
The Sukabumi case shows that digital health transformation is possible but uneven. Without addressing infrastructure and human resource gaps, digitalization risks widening disparities between regions.
Author Profile
Saprudin, S.KM., M.KM. is a lecturer at Universitas Djuanda, Bogor, specializing in health policy and health service management. His research focuses on digital health systems, primary healthcare governance, and public sector innovation. He collaborated with a multidisciplinary research team from Universitas Djuanda on this study.
Source
Saprudin et al. (2026).
“Implementation of E-Health Innovations in Primary Health Care Services in Sukabumi Regency.”
International Journal of Applied Research and Sustainable Sciences (IJARSS), Vol. 4 No. 1.
DOI: 10.59890/ijarss.v4i1.175
Official URL: https://jpnmultitechpublisher.my.id/index.php/ijarss/index
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