SBAR Communication Technique
When nurses communicate effectively, patients and the entire healthcare team benefit. One specific tool, known as SBAR, has proven to be especially effective.
SBAR was originally developed by the U.S. Navy to improve communication among its personnel on nuclear submarines before it was adopted by the healthcare community in the 1990s.
Miscommunication among healthcare providers can lead to errors, compromised patient safety, and reduced quality of care. SBAR, which stands for Situation, Background, Assessment, and Recommendation, is a structured method for communicating critical information that enhances clarity, reduces ambiguity, and ensures that essential information is conveyed efficiently and effectively.
What is SBAR?
SBAR is a framework used by healthcare professionals to facilitate clear and concise information exchange, particularly in critical situations. SBAR is widely used in various clinical scenarios, including shift handovers, patient transfers, emergency situations, and interdisciplinary team meetings.
In nursing, each of SBAR’s four components serves a specific purpose in the communication process, ensuring that all relevant information is covered systematically.
Situation: The Situation component involves stating the immediate issue or reason for the communication. This step is crucial for providing context and ensuring the receiver understands the urgency and focus of the communication. In this phase, the nurse briefly describes what is happening with the patient.
Background: The Background component provides essential information about the patient’s medical history, current medications, and recent changes in their condition. This step is vital for giving the receiver a comprehensive understanding of the context and relevant factors that may influence the situation.
Assessment: In the Assessment component, the nurse shares their clinical observations and professional judgment about the patient’s condition with other members of the healthcare team.
This step includes vital signs, symptoms, and any other pertinent findings that help to paint a clear picture of the patient’s current status.
Recommendation: The Recommendation component involves stating what action or intervention the nurse believes is needed to address the situation.
This step is critical for guiding the next steps in patient care and ensuring that appropriate measures are taken promptly.
Benefits of SBAR
SBAR offers numerous benefits for both nurses and patients by enhancing communication, improving patient safety, and fostering a collaborative healthcare environment.
As an example, a group of practicing nurses from Kean University adapted the tool to improve nursing handoffs between colleagues on different shifts.
For nurses, SBAR offers a clear and concise framework for organizing and presenting information. This structure helps to reduce the risk of omitting important details and ensures that all relevant information is conveyed systematically. By promoting consistency in communication, SBAR enhances the nurse’s ability to articulate observations and recommendations effectively. In turn, this process can lead to more timely and appropriate interventions.
For patients, the use of SBAR can significantly improve the quality of care they receive. Clear and accurate communication among healthcare providers helps to prevent errors, ensure continuity of care, and facilitate prompt and effective treatment. Patients benefit from the collaborative approach promoted by SBAR, as it encourages healthcare teams to work together in addressing patient needs and concerns.
How SBAR enhances communication
SBAR has a proven background of effectiveness in the military, but exactly how does it improve communication in healthcare?
SBAR enhances communication in several ways. First, it provides a standardized format that helps to ensure critical information is not overlooked or miscommunicated. By following the SBAR structure, healthcare providers can systematically address each component of the communication, reducing the likelihood of errors or misunderstandings.
Secondly, SBAR in nursing promotes clarity and brevity. In high-pressure situations, such as emergencies or shift handovers, healthcare providers must communicate well. SBAR encourages concise communication, allowing healthcare providers to quickly convey essential information without unnecessary details or ambiguity.
Third, SBAR facilitates assertive communication. It empowers nurses to articulate their assessments and recommendations confidently, which is particularly important when communicating with physicians or other healthcare providers.
By providing a clear structure for presenting information, using SBAR in nursing helps RNs to advocate for their patients effectively and ensures that their professional judgment is considered in the decision-making process.
Example of SBAR in action
How does SBAR in nursing work? To illustrate how it can be used in a clinical setting, consider the following scenario:
Situation: Nurse: “Dr. Lee, this is Nurse Adams from the ICU. I am calling about Mrs. Johnson, who has developed a high fever and hypotension.”
Background: Nurse: “Mrs. Johnson is a 72-year-old female admitted three days ago with pneumonia. She has been receiving intravenous antibiotics and supportive care. Her medical history includes hypertension and diabetes.”
Assessment: Nurse: “Her temperature has spiked to 102.4°F, and her blood pressure has dropped to 88/54 mmHg. She is also tachycardic with a heart rate of 110 beats per minute. Despite receiving fluids, she remains hypotensive and appears increasingly lethargic.”
Recommendation: Nurse: “I recommend starting a broad-spectrum antibiotic to cover potential sepsis and considering vasopressor support to manage her hypotension. Additionally, should we draw blood cultures and possibly order a chest CT to assess for any complications?”
In this example, the nurse clearly articulates the patient’s current situation, provides relevant background information, shares their assessment of the patient’s condition, and makes specific recommendations for further action.
The use of SBAR in nursing ensures that communication is clear, concise, and comprehensive, allowing a physician to make informed decisions quickly.
Using the SBAR communication technique in nursing can be a powerful tool for enhancing communication in various healthcare settings. By providing a structured framework for organizing and presenting information, SBAR helps to ensure that critical details are conveyed accurately and efficiently. This standardized approach to communication benefits nurses by promoting clarity, consistency, and assertiveness in their interactions with other healthcare providers.
Patients also benefit from SBAR in nursing, as it improves the quality of care they receive by facilitating timely and appropriate interventions.
Clear and effective communication among healthcare providers is essential for preventing errors, ensuring continuity of care, and fostering a collaborative healthcare environment.
By understanding and utilizing SBAR, nurses can enhance their communication skills, advocate for their patients effectively, and contribute to improved patient outcomes.
As healthcare continues to evolve, the importance of clear and concise communication cannot be overstated, making SBAR an invaluable tool for nurses and other healthcare professionals.