SBAR
Communication Workshop
Liz Lees
Faculty Research Fellow and Consultant Nurse
The Clinical Environment can be
extremely complicated
Surprises
Uncertainty
Incomplete information
Interruptions and multitasking
Causes of Poor
communication
SBAR – What is it?
Situation
Background
Assessment
Recommendation
SBAR was introduced by the US Navy
Simple
&
Effective
SBAR

SBAR technique provides a framework for effective
communication among members of the healthcare
team

SBAR helps to create an environment that allows
individuals to speak and express their concerns

It helps to ensure that patient’s get what they need
when they need it.
So What is SBAR?

Situation: the punch line, 5-10 seconds, get
someone’s attention

Background: the context, objective data, the
numbers, how did we get here

Assessment: what’s the problem?

Recommendation: What do we want to do and
when
SBAR
SITUATION

I am calling about…..

The problem is……

I have assessed the
following…….
BACKGROUND

The patient has a history
of…….

The skin is…….

Extremities are….

Vital signs are……..

Oxygen therapy…….

MEWS Score is……..

BP is ……

I am concerned
about……..
SBAR
ASSESSMENT

This is what I think the
problem is…..
OR

Im not sure what the
problem is but the patient
is getting worse
OR

The patient is unstable
RECOMMENDATION

I suggest/request that
you………….

Are there any tests
needed before you
arrive?

Would you like me to
do anything before you
arrive?
SBAR

SBAR is also used at Heartlands Hospital for the
Transfer of Patients (checklist).

It is meant to standardize the information being
sent with the patient.

The transfer form is used over the phone –
before the patient arrives so that the nurse can
check information about the patient.

It is also kept in the patients notes.
Can you come and see…
Workshop Exercises:
1
2
Consider

What information are we giving out

What information are we taking in

How can we get the right patient seen by the right person at the
right time??
Communication…