SBAR

Effective
Communication
Tool for
Patient Safety
 SBAR
In year 2005 nearly 70% of sentinel
events, the root cause was
communication.

From 1995 2005 JCAHO reviewed over

2537 sentinel events in General Hospitals
and Emergency Departments
 Why does communication
break down?
Different communication styles

No standardization in organizing essential

information

High level of activity and frequent interruptions

 What Can Go Wrong?

CONCERN was communicated BUT:

PROBLEM: was not clearly stated

PROPOSED ACTION: didnt happen

DECISION: was not reached

 Physician-RN
Communication
Differences in:
Training and practice

Style of communication

Past experience

Level of empowerment

Tone of voice and level of respect

 Physician-RN
Communication Styles

Other complicating factors

Gender, cultural differences, perceptions of

teamwork
Commnication Handoffs

SBAR
Is an effective
tool for all
types of
communicatio
n handoffs
 What is SBAR?
The SBAR model is a simple method
to help standardize communication

SBAR allows all parties to have

common expectations:
What is going to be communicated
How the communication is structured
Required elements

Focuses on the problem, not the

people
 SBAR
Situation

Background

Assessment

Recommendation
 SBA-R
Situation the problem

Background brief, related, to the point

Assessment - what you found, what you

think

Recommendation what you want

 SITUATION

State: your name and unit

I am calling about:: (Patient Name &

Room Number)

The problem: The reason I am calling

..
 BACKGROUND
State the admission diagnosis and date
of admission

State the pertinent medical history

A Brief Synopsis of the treatment to date

 Assessment
Pertinent objective & subjective
information
Most recent vitals
Mental status
Respiratory rate and quality
B/P, pulse rate & quality
Pain
Neuro changes
Skin color
 RECOMMENDATION
State what you would like to see
done:

Transfer the patient?

Change treatment?
Come to see the patient at this time?
Talk to the family and patient about.?
 RECOMMENDATION
Other suggestions
CXR ABG EKG
CBC Other?
If a change in treatment is ordered, ask:
How often?

Ask: If the patient does not improve,

when would you want to be called
again?
 Example
Situation:
Good morning Dr. Cruz, I am Ria Tan from
Medical Ward and Im calling about Mr. Ricardo
Santos admitted in MMW 2 who is short of
breath.

Background:
Hes a patient with chronic lung disease and has
had increased SOB over the past 4 hours. He is
now acutely worse. His oxygen saturation has
been 95% on 3LPM/nc until this evening.
 Example
Assessment:
He has expiratory wheezes in all lung fields, his
oxygen saturation is 85% on oxygen 3LPM/nc and
he is very restless, his latest vital signs are the
following BP: 150/90, RR: 30, PR: 100, Temp: 36

Recommendation:
- Can I start Combivent nebulization with the
patient and increase his 02 level to 5-8 LPM
using face mask?
 Review of SBAR tools
SBAR incorporated into:

Shift to shift report

Transfer forms

Computer Documentation screens

Telephone conversation guide

SBAR Tools
Thank You Very Much

Sources:
Kostof, M. 2016 An Interprofessional Simulation
Using the SBARTool American Journal of
Pharmeceutical Education Vol 80, no. 9.
Clochesy, J. 2015 Enhancing Communication
between Patients and Healthcare Providers: SBAR 3.
JSSHA Fall. Pp, 238-250