Lewis: Medical-Surgical Nursing, 7th Edition

Guidelines for Communicating Using the SBAR

Various procedures, models, and policies have been adopted by health care organizations to
meet the safety goals. One model used for telephone reporting and hand-off communication
is the SBAR (Situation-Background-Assessment-Recommendation) technique for
communication. This technique provides a mechanism to use for framing communication
between members of the health care team about a patient’s condition, especially one that is
critical.

SBAR is a model for effective information transfer by providing a standardized structure for
concise factual communications from nurse to nurse, nurse to physician, or nurse to other
health professionals.

Before calling a physician about a patient problem, assess the patient yourself, read the most
recent physician progress and nursing notes, and have the patient chart available.

What is the situation you want to discuss? What is happening at the

present time?

S
Situation
• Identify self and unit. State: I am calling about: patient, room number
• Briefly state the problem, what it is, when it happened or started, and
how severe it is.State: I have just assessed the patient and I am
concerned about: identify why you are concerned.

What is the background or circumstances leading up to the

situation? State pertinent background information related to the situation
that may include:

B • Admitting diagnosis and date of admission

• List of current medications, allergies, IV fluids
• Most recent vital signs
• Date and time of any laboratory testing and results of previous tests
for comparison
Background • Synopsis of treatment to date
• Code status
What do you think the problem is? What is your assessment of the

A
Assessment
situation? State what you think the problem is:
• Changes from prior assessments
• Patient condition unstable or worsening

What should we do to correct the problem? What is your

R recommendation or request?State your request:

• Specific treatments
• Tests needed
Recommendation/ • Patient needs to be seen now
Request