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SBAR (Situation, Background, Assessment, Recommendation) is a structured communication method used in healthcare to facilitate clear, concise, and consistent information exchange about a patient between clinicians. It is designed to reduce miscommunication, accelerate decision-making, and improve patient safety during handoffs, urgent calls, and escalation situations.
The four components are: Situation—what is happening now; Background—relevant medical history and context; Assessment—clinician's interpretation of
SBAR is used across acute care, emergency departments, operating rooms, nursing units, and outpatient clinics, and
Implementation typically involves training, practice, and supportive culture, and is often integrated into handoff protocols, escalation
Limitations include dependence on the sender's clarity and the receiver's listening, and it does not replace
Variants and adaptations of SBAR exist, including team-specific wording and the addition of prompts to elicit