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

S B A R 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 BACKGROUND I am calling about….. The problem is…… I have assessed the following……. Vital signs are…….. MEWS Score is…….. I am concerned about…….. BACKGROUND The patient has a history of……. The skin is……. Extremities are…. Oxygen therapy……. BP is …… This is a guide of how to communicate, particularly on the phone, to the medic/ANP about the patient that you are concerned about. All the information is on every MEWS chart for ease of use. To get the best response, have this information ready when you call for a MEWS response ( Speaker Note – Read over slide)

SBAR RECOMMENDATION I suggest/request that you…………. ASSESSMENT This is what I think the problem is….. OR Im not sure what the problem is but the patient is getting worse 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? Read over Slide

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 What you may already be saying when escalating a concern………..

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…