Project Firstline
Environmental Services Health Care Facilities Teamwork and Communication IPC Facilitator Toolkit

SBAR

Get your point across quickly using the SBAR framework.

We’ve all been there. You have an urgent message for a coworker, but you find yourself rambling and their eyes glaze over before you’re able to get your point across. SBAR is a simple framework that can help you communicate quickly and concisely in any setting. Describe the situation that requires attention, the patient's background, your assessment of the situation and your recommendation for next steps. Use this tool and share it with colleagues, patients and families. They’ll thank you!

What is SBAR?

See It In Action

 
Tip Icon

Avoid this common pitfall...

Avoid skipping the R in SBAR just because you don't know exactly what should happen next. It's perfectly fine for a recommendation to be more of a request for support, like this:

"My recommendation is that you evaluate this patient to see whether any follow-up care is needed."
 
 
Question 1 of 2
Randal begins the exchange with "Let me start by giving some background on this patient..."

Did Randal use SBAR the right way?

Well Done

Actually, while a little bit of background information is certainly helpful, you should always start with the situation—what's happening right now that prompted you to act.

Not Quite

You got it! A little bit of background is certainly helpful, but you should always start with the situation by describing what’s happening right now that prompted you to act.

Submit
Try Again
Next
Module1
Question 2 of 2
Maggie ends her SBAR by saying, “What do you think we should do for this patient?”

Did Maggie use the SBAR tool correctly?

Well Done

This isn’t the way you’d want to end an SBAR. Always end with an actionable recommendation or request that the other person can use to decide how to take action.

Not Quite

That’s right! You’ll want to end an SBAR with an actionable recommendation or request that the other person can use to decide how to take action.

Submit
Try Again
Next
Module1
Put It Into Practice
00:00/ 00:00

Help Chris and Dr. Michaels use the SBAR tool.

What is Chris doing wrong in this SBAR?

He skipped key steps such as giving his "situation" and "assessment."

Almost! By omitting key steps and not using the language, Chris is leaving Dr. Michaels in a difficult position as she attempts to get a grasp on his message and how to move forward. But that's not all that went wrong here.

He didn't use the SBAR language.

Close! But that's not the whole story. Chris skipped giving his assessment and recommendation, and he wasn't following the SBAR acronym step by step using the language, leaving Dr. Michaels in a difficult position as she attempted to get a grasp of his message and how to move forward.

The SBAR is out of order.

You're close! Chris started his SBAR with the "background" instead of the "situation," using the tool out of order. But there's more to the story.

All of the above.

That's right! Chris neglected to use all the language in the acronym, he skipped some steps in the SBAR and the steps he used were out of order. These issues made for a very confusing and disorganized SBAR, leaving Dr. Michaels unequipped to respond immediately to his request.

Submit
Try Again
Next

How could Dr. Michaels coach Chris to improve his communication?

Give Chris her recommendation on next steps.

Not quite. By not asking Chris for his assessment and recommendation, Dr. Michaels might be missing key pieces of information or insight.

Ask for his assessment and recommendation.

That's right! Dr. Michaels can use the remaining letters in SBAR that Chris skipped to help clarify what he is saying and to zero in on next steps.

Ask Chris to provide more background information.

Not quite. Chris already gave Dr. Michaels a lot of background information about the patient—maybe even more than she needed. Try to identify which parts of the SBAR Chris forgot to provide and that Dr. Michaels still needs.

Submit
Try Again
Next
 

Use SBAR with your patients and their families.

Have patients and families fill out an SBAR form to help them communicate with you. They can describe their situation (or symptoms), the background related to those symptoms, their assessment as to what is going on and their recommendation (or request).

 
 

Use SBAR to communicate a change in a patient's status.

Let's say you notice a change in your patient's condition.

You can use SBAR to provide context and make a recommendation or request to the provider.

 
 

Use SBAR to send an important email.

Let's say you need to send an email to staff about a change in a standard operating procedure.

To keep it concise and relevant, use the SBAR tool to organize the information.

 
 

Use SBAR to bring your team up to speed.

Let's say you’re in a team setting and need to huddle up to revisit your plan.

You can use SBAR to provide context and make a recommendation or request to the provider.

 

SBAR is a tool you can use anytime you need to get your point across quickly and clearly.

SBAR - Situation | Background | Assessment | Recommendation

Want to learn more about Project Firstline? 
Contact TeamTraining@aha.org.

We value your feedback. Please complete this brief evaluation.

|