SBAR promotes better communication in Healthcare. In most cases nurses and physicians communicate in very different ways. Nurses are taught to report in narrative form, providing all details known about the patient. Physicians are taught to communicate using brief “bullet points” that provide only the key information to the listener.
The following is an example of a nurse call to a physician using SBAR:
"Dr. Jones, this is Deb McDonald RN, I am calling from ABC Hospital about your patient Jane Smith."
Situation
"Here's the situation: Mrs. Smith is having increasing dyspnea and is complaining of chest pain."
Background
"The supporting background information is that she had a total knee replacement two days ago. About two hours ago she began complaining of chest pain. Her pulse is 120 and her blood pressure is 128 over 54. She is restless and short of breath."
Assessment
"My assessment of the situation is that she may be having a cardiac event or a pulmonary embolism."
Recommendation
"I recommend that you see her immediately and that we start her on O2 stat. Do you agree?"
The SBAR technique creates the shared mental communication model that ensures the nurse and physician remain on the same page throughout the conversation.