This document discusses SBARR, a communication tool used to standardize nurse-physician handoffs. It begins by explaining that SBARR stands for Situation, Background, Assessment, Recommendation, and Read-back. It then describes each component of SBARR and provides examples of the information that should be included. The document emphasizes that SBARR improves safety by ensuring all relevant patient information is communicated clearly and concisely between clinicians.

1. Harriet R. Sullivan-Bibee RN, BSN
Kaplan University
MN 510: Instructional Technology
Integration
Professor Mary Ann Theiss
June 26, 2012

2. 1) Describe the meaning of SBARR
2) Discuss why SBARR is needed
3) Describe the SBARR process
4) Become familiar with the SBARR tool

3. “Communication errors are the root
cause of almost 70% of sentinel
events, and 75% of the patients involved
died,” (Rodgers, 2007).

4. When does it happen?
HAND OFF REPORT
-Clinician to Physician
-Clinician to clinician

6. 1. Communicate interactively
2. Communicate up-to-date information
3. Limit interruptions
4. Allow sufficient time to complete the hand-off.
5. Require a verification process
6. Ensure the receiver of information has the
opportunity to review relevant historical data

7. The beginning of SBAR
“SBAR is a communication format, which
was initially developed by the military
and refined by the aviation industry to
reduce the risks associated with the
transmission of inaccurate and incomplete
information”,(Rodgers, 2007).

8. What does SBARR stand for:
S-Situation
B-Background
A-Assessment
R-Recommendation
R-Read back

10.  Name
 Medical record number
 Age
 Diagnosis
 Medication list
 Allergies
 Vital signs
 Lab results
 Advance Directive

11.  Have I seen and assessed the patient
myself before calling?
Review the chart for appropriate physician
to call.

12. Identify self, agency, and patient name
What is going on with the patient that is a cause
for concern. A concise statement of the problem

13. Admitting diagnosis and date of admission
 List of current medications, allergies, IV fluids,
etc.
 Most recent vital signs
 Lab results: provide the date and time test was
done and results of previous tests for comparison
 Medical history
Recent clinical findings
 Advance Directive/code status

14.  What are the clinician’s findings?
 What is the analysis and
consideration of options?
 Is this problem severe or life
threatening?

15.  What action/recommendation is needed to
correct the problem?
 What solution can you offer the physician?
 What do you need from the physician to
improve the patient’s condition?
 In what time frame do you expect this
action to take place?

16.  Confirm what you heard.
Repeat what is ordered by the physician.
Reduces errors.

17. Standard of care
Safety and Quality
Not being Communication Being clear with
direct. Between nurse and expectations and
physician/nurse recommendations
Wrong
medication/ Provides safe care
wrong with good outcomes
procedure
Sentinel event with Saves time. Physicians and
poor patient nurses are less frustrated.
outcomes

19. Conclusion
Being concise and accurate with the
information regarding our patients is
essential to positive outcomes. Using
SBARR will improve the communication
between nurses and physicians.

20. For more information please feel free to
contact me at:
Harriet R. Sullivan-Bibee, B.S.N., R.N.
Kaplan University
Harriet Sullivan-Bibee@student.kaplan.edu

21. (2007). Nursing Education Perspectives SBAR for students. 28 (6), p306-306,
1/3p; (AN27779598)
Delmarva foundation and the Maryland Patient safety center.(2007). Handoffs &
Transitions Learning Network. Retrieved from
http://www.marylandpatientsafety.org/html/learning_netwo
k/hts/materials/resources/handoffs/HandoffsStrategiesChart pdf
Rodgers, K.L. (2007).Using the SBAR communication technique to improve
nurse-physician phone communication: A pilot study. Viewpoint, 7-9.

22. Montgomery Learning college (nd). SBAR. Retrieved from
http://warfieldgraphics.com/CLIENTS/SBAR/SBAR%20Worksheet%2
0Kaiser%20 ermanente.pdf
Ohio Kepra (nd). Medicare quality improvement organization. SBAR
communication. Retrieved from
www.snjourney.com/ClinicalInfo/WrAndReport/SBAR.ppt
The Toronto Rehab (2010). No SBAR: Ineffective communication. Retrieved from
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CtdNQfKg8&feature=relmfu
The Toronto Rehab (2010). SBAR: Effective communication. Retrieved from
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=endscreen&NR=1&v=fsa
EArBy2g