1. March 23rd 2017 Presented By: Shanelle Van Dyke
Patient Safety Culture (PSC) Survey Quality Improvement Series: Handoffs & Transitions
March 23rd 2017
Presented By: Shanelle Van Dyke

2. SBAR – Improving Communication

3. VIDEO
Improving Patient Handoffs
min. 22 seconds

4. S B A R Situation Background Assessment Recommendation Background
The safety attitudes questionnaire administered at Kaiser Permanente identified that physician and nurse perceptions of teamwork were significantly different. Physicians tended to view the care environment as fairly collaborative, whereas nurses saw it as much less so. To address the issue, Kaiser Permanente developed a communication tool that was adapted from the US Navy, called SBAR.

5. What is SBAR?
SBAR is a communication tool that provides a method of clearly communication the pertinent information from a clinical encounter
Empowers all members of the healthcare team to provide their input into the patient situation including recommendations
Assessment and recommendation phases provide an opportunity for discussion among the members of the health care team
May not be comfortable at first for either sender or receivers of information
SBAR is an acronym for Situation, Background, Assessment, Recommendation; a technique that can be used to facilitate prompt and appropriate communication. This communication model has gained popularity in healthcare settings, especially amongst professions such as physicians and nursing.
The SBAR is a powerful tool that is used to improve the effectiveness of communication between individuals. It is easy to use and can help your staff learn the key components needed to send a complete message! Here are the key components of the SBAR:

6. Why do we Need SBAR? S=Situation (a concise statement of the problem)
Poor communication = errors/call backs from clinical and clerical staff to get more information
B=Background (pertinent and brief information related to the situation)
Training on communication styles vary
Hierarchy – lack of assertiveness
Distractions – missing information
A=Assessment (analysis and considerations of options — what you found/think)
We need a new communication style that all healthcare professionals can use
R=Recommendation (action requested/recommended — what you want)
SBAR is a simple tool that is shown to effectively improve communication that will decrease error and has been effectively applied to healthcare

7. How will it help?
Easy to remember. Standardize approach that promotes efficient transfer of key information. Helps create an environment that allows clerical and clinical staff to express their concerns. Clarifies what information needs communicated quickly and points to action.
S=Situation : Clearly and briefly define the situation. For example, ‘Mr. Jones has multiple prescriptions of Coumadin in his home and he is unclear as to which ones he is supposed to take.’
B=Background : Provide clear, relevant background information that relates to the situation. (you should consider including the patient’s diagnosis, the prescribing physicians, and the dates and dosages of the medications).
A=Assessment : A statement of your professional conclusion. 
R=Recommendation : What do you need from this individual?
For example, ‘Please clarify which is the correct dose of Coumadin for Mr. Jones to take and which physician will be responsible for managing his anticoagulant therapy?’
Similar to the SOAP model

14. VIDEOS
SBAR Effective Communication min. 5 seconds
NO SBAR Ineffective Communication min. 4 seconds

16. Helpful Resources Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI) SBAR
DOCUMENTS
     SBAR Communication Tool
     SBAR Form: Generic Report to Physician
     SBAR Scenarios
     SBAR Lesson Plans
     SBAR Report Competency Check Off
     SBAR Poster Example
     SBAR Phone Stickers Template
     Tips for Using SBAR

17. THANK YOU! Questions ? ? ? Kyle Cameron—Wyoming Flex
Shanelle Van Dyke
Kyle Cameron—Wyoming Flex
Wyoming Office of Rural Health
Rochelle Spinarski—Rural Health Solutions