SBAR TEMPLATE: Situation - What Is The Situation You Are Cal ✓ Solved

SBAR TEMPLATE S Situation: What is the situation you are calling about?

SBAR TEMPLATE S Situation: What is the situation you are calling about? This is (nurse)_____________________________ I am calling about_________________(client’s name). The problem/symptom I am calling about is _________________________________________________ The problem/symptom started ___________________________________________________________ The problem/symptom has gotten (circle one) worse/better/stayed the same since it started Things that make the problem/symptom worse are ___________________________________________ Things that make the problem/symptom better are ___________________________________________ Other things that have occurred with this problem/symptom are _________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________ B Background: Pertinent background information related to the situation could include the following: Primary diagnosis and/or reason why client is here:_____________________________________________ Pertinent medical history/include: recent falls, fever, decreased intake/fluids, CP, SOB, other: ___________ ______________________________________________________________________________________ Mental Status or Neuro changes: (Y/ N: confusion/agitation/lethargy ) Temp______ BP_______ Pulse rate/rhythm_______________________ Resp rate______________ Lung Sounds________________ Pulse Oximetry % On RA on O2 at L/min via (NC, mask)_______________________ GI/GU changes (nausea/vomiting/diarrhea/impaction/distension/decreased urinary output)_______________ Pain level/location/status __________________________________________________________________ Labs:__________________________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________________________ Advance Directives (Full code, DNR, DNI, DNH, other, not documented) Allergies________________________________________________________________________________ Any other data: _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ A Assessment What is your assessment of the situation? What do you think is going on with the resident? (e.g. cardiac, infection, respiratory, urinary, dehydration, mental status change?) I think that the problem may be ____________________________________________ -OR I am not sure of what the problem is, but there had been an acute change in condition. R Recommendation What is your recommendation or what do you want (say what you want done)?

Paper For Above Instructions

The SBAR (Situation, Background, Assessment, Recommendation) technique is a crucial communication Model in healthcare, especially for nurses operating in fast-paced environments such as emergency rooms and intensive care units. This communication strategy is particularly important in telephonic interactions, where a nurse must succinctly convey critical information about a patient’s condition to a colleague or healthcare provider. In this response, we will effectively outline how to utilize the SBAR template to communicate a patient’s situation, necessary background information, nursing assessments, and recommendations for further action.

Situation

In the Situation portion of the SBAR, the healthcare practitioner identifies themselves and the specific patient they are referring to. For instance, a nurse might say: “This is Nurse Jane Doe, and I am calling about John Smith. The problem I am calling about is persistent shortness of breath.” It is vital to mention how long the issue has been present and note any changes since its onset, guiding the healthcare provider in understanding the urgency.

Background

The Background section provides relevant patient information that offers insight into their current medical situation. This includes the primary diagnosis and previous medical history that could tie into the current concern. For example: “John is a 78-year-old male with a history of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and recent pneumonia. He was admitted for worsening respiratory distress and has had frequent falls due to weakness.” Also, it’s important to highlight his current vital signs and laboratory findings that could be influencing his shortness of breath. This information helps establish a context from which a recommendation can be made.

Assessment

During the Assessment segment, the speaker reflects on the significance of the situation based on the data collected in the situation and background sections. The assessment could read: “I believe John may be experiencing an exacerbation of his COPD due to an underlying infection. He appears lethargic and has a decreased oxygen saturation level of 85% on room air.” Here, the nurse employs critical thinking to interpret the signs and symptoms while also being open to uncertain results, stating, “I am unsure of the exact etiology but there has been an acute change in his condition.” This portion requires clinical insight and illustrates the seriousness of the patient’s current status clearly to the listener.

Recommendation

The final component, Recommendation, is where the nurse proposes a course of action. It is essential to be clear and assertive, stating what actions the nurse believes should be taken next. For instance, “I recommend that John be immediately evaluated by a physician, and we may need to consider starting supplemental oxygen therapy and ordering a chest X-ray to assess for any new pathology.” This step is crucial as it directs the next phase of patient care and shows the urgency of the situation while outlining the specific needs of the patient.

Conclusion

Using the SBAR technique not only promotes effective communication in healthcare but also enhances patient safety and ensures that crucial information is conveyed in a structured manner. This approach minimizes misunderstandings during verbal handovers, especially concerning deteriorating patient conditions. Ultimately, utilizing the SBAR template improves the collaborative effort needed in patient care, ensuring the best possible outcomes for patients.

References

  • Hogan, J. (2019). Effective Communication in Nursing. Nursing Management, 50(2), 25-31.
  • Weiss, S. J., Costa, L. L., Yakusheva, O., & Kostas-Polston, E. (2020). The Effect of SBAR Implementation on Patient Safety and Communication. Journal of Nursing Care Quality, 35(1), 49-56.
  • Hughes, R. G. (2016). Patient Safety and Quality: An Evidence-Based Handbook for Nurses. Rockville, MD: Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality.
  • Wong, H. H., & Wong, M. M. (2020). The Implementation of SBAR Communication: A Systematic Review. Journal of Communication in Healthcare, 13(1), 12-19.
  • McGowan, B. (2018). Improving Patient Safety through Effective Communication. Nurse Leader, 16(1), 12-16.
  • Ben Natan, M., Mahajna, M., & Mahajna, M. (2019). The Efficacy of SBAR Communication in Healthcare Settings. Journal of Nursing Management, 27(1), 22-29.
  • King, A., & Hoppe, C. (2013). “Best Practice” for Patient-Centered Communication: A Systematic Review. Journal for Healthcare Quality, 35(5), 88-97.
  • McDonald, W. M., & Van Der Waal, L. (2021). Strategic Communication: The Role of SBAR in Quality Improvement. Health Affairs, 40(4), 502-507.
  • Bailey, J. B., Hunkler, M. R., & Clapper, M. (2017). Communication Dynamics in Clinical Teams: The Importance of SBAR. Nursing Standard, 32(2), 57-62.
  • O'Hare, J. A., & Schreiber, R. (2018). SBAR: A Tool for Improving Communication in the Clinical Setting. Journal of Clinical Practice, 72(1), 37-42.

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