Mastering SBAR: Essential Tips for New Nurses

Effective communication is essential in nursing, where accurate and timely information can significantly impact patient outcomes.  

This aspect of the job can be especially important for new nurses.  

One powerful tool for enhancing communication among healthcare providers is the SBAR technique, which stands for Situation, Background, Assessment, and Recommendation. This structured method helps ensure that critical information is conveyed clearly and concisely, reducing the risk of misunderstandings and errors. 

Mastering SBAR, particularly for new nurses, can lead to greater efficiency in patient care and improved collaboration with the healthcare team.  

Understanding SBAR 

SBAR is a framework designed to standardize the exchange of information in healthcare settings. It was originally developed by the U.S. Navy to enhance communication in nuclear submarines, where precise and clear communication is vitally important.  

The technique was adapted for healthcare in the 1990s to address the complexities and high stakes of patient care. 

Here’s how each of the four pillars of SBAR work. 

Situation: The situation component involves clearly and succinctly stating immediate issues or reasons for communication. This step sets the context and urgency for the conversation. For instance, if a patient’s condition is deteriorating, the nurse should promptly communicate this to the relevant healthcare provider. 

Example: “Dr. Thompson, this is Nurse Williams. I am calling about Mr. Smith in room 204, who is experiencing severe chest pain and shortness of breath.” 

Background: The background component provides essential information about the patient’s medical history, current medications, and recent changes in their condition. This context helps the receiver understand the broader picture and relevant factors influencing the current situation. 

Example: “Mr. Smith is a 60-year-old male with a history of coronary artery disease and hypertension. He was admitted two days ago for observation following a mild myocardial infarction.” 

Assessment: In the assessment component, the nurse shares clinical observations and professional judgment about the patient’s condition. This includes vital signs, symptoms, and any other pertinent findings that contribute to understanding the patient’s current status. 

Example: “His blood pressure is 150/90, heart rate is 110, and oxygen saturation is 92% on room air. He is diaphoretic and appears very anxious.” 

Recommendation: The recommendation component involves stating what action or intervention the nurse believes is needed to address the situation. This guides the next steps in patient care and ensures that appropriate measures are taken promptly. 

Example: “I recommend starting Mr. Smith on supplemental oxygen and performing an immediate ECG. Could you please come to evaluate him as soon as possible?” 

How SBAR enhances patient care 

SBAR enhances the efficiency of patient care by providing a clear and structured way to communicate critical information. This method reduces the likelihood of miscommunication and ensures all relevant details are conveyed systematically. By standardizing the communication process, SBAR helps nurses deliver concise and focused reports, saving time and minimizing errors. 

For new nurses, using SBAR can build confidence in their communication skills. It provides a reliable framework that guides them through the process of delivering comprehensive and accurate information. This structured approach is particularly beneficial in high-pressure situations where clear and quick communication is essential. 

Moreover, SBAR promotes interdisciplinary collaboration. By providing a common language and format for communication, SBAR can facilitate better understanding and cooperation among all members of a healthcare team. This collaborative approach leads to more cohesive care plans and improved patient outcomes. 

Best practices for using SBAR 

To effectively use SBAR in nursing, new RNs should follow best practices that enhance the clarity and efficiency of their communication. Here are some tips to help new nurses: 

Be prepared: Before initiating an SBAR communication, gather all relevant information about the patient’s condition, medical history, and recent changes. Having this information readily available ensures that a new nurse can provide a comprehensive report and reduce the need for follow-up questions. 

Example: “Dr. Lee, this is Nurse Taylor. I am calling about Mrs. Johnson in room 305. She is experiencing increasing confusion and agitation.” 

Stay focused and concise: When using SBAR in nursing, aim to be as clear and concise as possible. Avoid unnecessary details and focus on the critical information a receiver needs to know. This approach helps to prevent information overload and ensures the key points are understood. 

Example: “Mrs. Johnson is a 75-year-old female with a history of dementia. She was admitted last night for a urinary tract infection and has been receiving IV antibiotics.” 

Use professional judgment: The Assessment component of SBAR requires the nurse to provide their professional judgment about the patient’s condition. Use your clinical knowledge and experience to offer a well-informed assessment that supports the receiver in making decisions. 

Example: “Her vital signs are stable, but she is now disoriented to time and place. She has also been trying to pull out her IV line.” 

Provide clear recommendations: In the Recommendation component, clearly state what actions you believe are necessary to address the situation. Providing specific and actionable recommendations helps guide the next steps in patient care and ensures appropriate measures are taken promptly. 

Example: “I recommend reassessing her for potential delirium and considering a change in her antibiotic regimen. Could you please come to evaluate her as soon as possible?” 

Practice active listening: Effective communication is a two-way process. When receiving SBAR communication from colleagues, practice active listening by focusing on the speaker, acknowledging the information, and asking clarifying questions if needed.  

This approach ensures that you fully understand the situation and can respond appropriately while using SBAR in nursing techniques. 

Example: “Thank you for the update, Nurse Taylor. I will come to evaluate Mrs. Johnson immediately and review her medication orders.” 

Tips for new nurses on mastering SBAR 

For new nurses, mastering SBAR can be a transformative skill that enhances their communication and overall effectiveness in patient care.  

A group of nurses from Kean University adapted the SBAR tool and applied it to improve nursing handoffs. 

Here are some additional tips to help new nurses use SBAR to their advantage. 

Practice regularly: Like any skill, mastering SBAR in nursing requires practice. Take every opportunity to use SBAR in your daily interactions with colleagues and healthcare providers. The more you practice, the more comfortable and proficient you will become. 

During shift handovers, for example, use SBAR to communicate important patient information to the incoming nurse. 

Seek feedback: Ask for feedback from experienced nurses and healthcare providers on your use of SBAR. Constructive feedback can help you identify areas for improvement and refine your communication skills. 

For example, after a critical communication, ask the receiving physician or nurse for feedback on how clearly and effectively you conveyed the information. 

Use SBAR in various scenarios: SBAR in nursing is a versatile communication tool that can be used in various clinical scenarios, including shift handovers, patient transfers, and emergency situations. Practice using SBAR in different contexts to build your confidence and adaptability. 

One situation is to use SBAR to communicate with the radiology department when a patient needs an urgent imaging study. 

Develop confidence: Using SBAR can help build your confidence in communicating with physicians and other senior healthcare providers. Trust your clinical judgment and articulate your assessments and recommendations confidently. 

When discussing a patient’s condition with a physician, for example, use SBAR to present your observations and recommendations assertively. 

Use SBAR for handoffs: Patient handoffs are critical moments in healthcare where clear and accurate communication is essential. Use SBAR to ensure that all relevant information is conveyed during the handoff process, reducing the risk of errors and enhancing patient safety. 

An example could sound like this: “Dr. Carter, this is Nurse Lopez. I am handing over Mr. Davis, who was admitted for a possible stroke. His condition has stabilized, but he is scheduled for an MRI later today.” 

Adapt SBAR to your style: While SBAR provides a structured framework, it can be adapted to fit your personal communication style. Find a balance that works, ensuring that you cover all essential components while maintaining clarity and conciseness. 

If you prefer using bullet points for clarity, adapt your SBAR communication to include key points for each component. 

By mastering SBAR, new nurses can enhance their communication skills, improve patient care, and foster better collaboration with healthcare providers.  

By staying focused, concise, and confident, new nurses can master the SBAR techniques to ensure their communication is clear, accurate, and effective.