What is the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA)?
If you’re wondering about SBAR, which is the SBAR nursing communication technique—or if you’re seeking SBAR examples—you’re in the right place.
This article contains information on the SBAR tool as well as SBAR examples for nursing students and nurses, including nurse practitioners (NPs), registered nurses (RNs), licensed practical nurses (LPNs), and psychiatric mental health nurse practitioners (PMHNPs).
The SBAR template is a communication technique used in nursing to communicate critical information.
SBAR nursing template
SBAR is an acronym that stands for situation, background, assessment, and recommendation or/ repeat back.
The United States Navy developed SBAR to convey essential information on nuclear submarines. Later on, this structured form of communication was adopted into the healthcare sector.
The SBAR charting method was first used at Kaiser Permanente in 2003 as a format for discussions regarding patient care that required immediate attention.
From chest pain to dyspnea, the ISBARs method can be used to communicate urgent changes in a patient's condition.
The SBAR handoff template creates a framework for communication that allows for nursing professionals to present information to be presented in a concise and organized way.
Communication is an exchange of information, but the quality of the message can differ from person to person. These communication problems and barriers are multifactorial and have varying influences.
The SBAR nursing template is a communication instrument created to combat common communication barriers and issues.
Instead of relying on the individual to create the platform, the SBAR nursing communication method provides continuity of communication exchange.
S: Situation
The “S” stands for situation.
You are setting the stage for the information exchange.
The situation provides context to the assessment you will present later. The situation should present what is currently happening with the client.
Whether the client is short of breath or having chest pain, the aim is to present the triggering issue that prompted the notification.
B: Background
The “B” stands for background.
This section should cover the client's clinical background, including medical history related to the current situation.
The background provides context to the situation, illuminating a fuller picture.
Additional details that nurses can include are the patient's symptoms, vital signs, diagnostics, and/or laboratory findings.
A: Assessment
The “A” stands for assessment.
This is where a conclusion is formulated based on prior information. The assessment conveys what the nurse thinks the issue is.
The nurse has taken the patient's source information, synthesized it, and now has an evaluation.
The assessment section of SBAR is based on the background information within the framework of the situation.
R: Recommendation/repeat back
The “R” stands for recommendation/repeat back.
Here, you tell the listener what you need and when you need it.
After creating the full picture and providing an evaluation, it is time to ask for what you need.
What will resolve the issue?
What will improve the situation?
The recommendation is the action or prompt needed to provide care for the situation that is initially presented.
After you provide the recommendation, you repeat the plan back to the listener.
SBAR examples
To develop a better understanding of SBAR in action, it may be helpful to review some SBAR examples for nursing students and nurses.
Here is an example of SBAR:
Situation: Ms. Josephine is having chest pain.
Background: She was admitted a day ago with a right hip fracture. She is a 54-year-old female with a past medical history of hypertension, diabetes, hyperlipidemia, and tobacco dependence. About 30 minutes ago, she was lying in bed and began to complain of chest pain. The chest pain is described as mid-chest, stabbing in character, radiating to her left arm, with 8/10 pain. Her blood pressure is 117/78, with a pulse of 68, respiratory rate of 20, and a SpO2 of 99% on room air.
Assessment: My assessment is that Ms. Josephine is possibly having a cardiac event.
Recommendation: My recommendation is that Ms. Josephine obtain a 12-lead ECG and have her troponin levels checked. Do you agree?
Here is another example of SBAR:
Situation: Ms. Baker is having trouble breathing.
Background: She was admitted yesterday with pneumonia. She is an 86-year-old female with a past medical history of lung cancer and rheumatoid arthritis. About 15 minutes ago, she was sitting in bed and began to complain of difficulty breathing. Her blood pressure is 162/87, with a pulse of 115, respiratory rate of 35, and a SpO2 of 82% on 2L N/C.
Assessment: My assessment is that Ms. Josephine is possibly having a respiratory event.
Recommendation: My recommendation is that Ms. Baker's oxygen be increased, and if her oxygen level remains low, we obtain an arterial blood gas. Do you agree?
Effective communication is essential in providing quality patient care.
The SBAR nursing method has been shown to improve patient safety. In the hospital, most of the communication regarding patient care occurs between physicians and nurses.
The consequences of poor communication in healthcare can include delays in care, medication errors, and/or inappropriate plans of care.
The aim of the SBAR nursing method is to decrease the opportunities for error.
Before using the SBAR method, nurses should organize the information so the presentation is concise and easy to follow.
The goal is to present the most important material that pertains to the current situation.
The SBAR method is a point-by-point dialogue that allows for prompt notification of changes in the client's condition, leaving little room for error while decreasing the chances of miscommunication.
Good nurse-to-physician communication is critical in healthcare. SBAR allows for the clear, concise exchange of information in times of concern.
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