Can SBAR be implemented with high fidelity and does it improve communication between healthcare workers? A systematic review

Abstract

ObjectiveTo characterise the extent to which health professionals perform SBAR (situation, background, assessment, recommendation) as intended (ie, with high fidelity) and the extent to which its use improves communication clarity or other quality measures.Data sourcesMedline, Healthstar, PsycINFO, Embase and CINAHL to October 2020 and handsearching selected journals.Study selection and outcome measuresEligible studies consisted of controlled trials and time series, including simple before-after design, assessing SBAR implementation fidelity or the effects of SBAR on communication clarity or other quality measures (eg, safety climate, patient outcomes).Data extraction and synthesisTwo reviewers independently abstracted data according to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses on study features, intervention details and study outcomes. We characterised the magnitude of improvement in outcomes as small (<20% relative increase), moderate (20%–40%) or large (>40%).ResultsTwenty-eight studies (3 randomised controlled trials, 6 controlled before-after studies, and 19 uncontrolled before-after studies) met inclusion criteria. Of the nine studies assessing fidelity of SBAR use, four occurred in classroom settings and three of these studies reported large improvements. The five studies assessing fidelity in clinical settings reported small to moderate effects. Among eight studies measuring communication clarity, only three reported large improvements and two of these occurred in classroom settings. Among the 17 studies reporting impacts on quality measures beyond communication, over half reported moderate to large improvements. These improvements tended to involve measures of teamwork and culture. Improvements in patient outcomes occurred only with intensive multifaceted interventions (eg, early warning scores and rapid response systems).ConclusionsHigh fidelity uptake of SBAR and improvements in communication clarity occurred predominantly in classroom studies. Studies in clinical settings achieving impacts beyond communication typically involved broader, multifaceted interventions. Future efforts to improve communication using SBAR should first confirm high fidelity uptake in clinical settings rather than assuming this has occurred.PROSPERO registration numberCRD42018111377.

Scoping review to identify strategies and interventions improving interprofessional collaboration and integration in primary care

“… 92 In addition, Lo et al 93 suggested that the protocol may be a cost-effective method for coordinating between general practitioners and nurses. 93 To solve problems regarding care coordination, especially after the COVID-19 pandemic, the use of digital healthcare tools was established. 94 Fagherazzi et al 95 indicated that these digital tools improved triage and risk assessment.…”

“…The situation-background-assessment-recommendation protocol is an existing method to perform information sharing efficiently and appropriately 92. In addition, Lo et al 93 suggested that the protocol may be a cost-effective method for coordinating between general practitioners and nurses 93. To solve problems regarding care coordination, especially after the COVID-19 pandemic, the use of digital healthcare tools was established 94.…”

Creating a culture of support for nursing surveillance

“…SBAR "provides a framework for communication between members of the healthcare team about a patient's condition." 47 Using the SBAR method, the nurse communicates a concise statement of the problem, pertinent and brief information related to the problem, an analysis of the options, and a recommendation or request for action.…”

“…Knowledge sharing is a widely recognized component of effective interdisciplinary communication 45 The Situation Background Assessment and Recommendation (SBAR) technique is one possible way to improve interdisciplinary collaboration. SBAR “provides a framework for communication between members of the healthcare team about a patient's condition.” 47 Using the SBAR method, the nurse communicates a concise statement of the problem, pertinent and brief information related to the problem, an analysis of the options, and a recommendation or request for action. Lo et al systematic review of SBAR as a communication tool found small to moderate effects in clinical settings with most reported outcomes relating to teamwork and culture rather than patient safety 48 .…”

The design and application of an intensive care unit point-of-care nursing handover checklist based on the situation, background, assessment, and recommendation technique

“…The situation, background, assessment, and recommendation (SBAR) technique is a standard and structured communication method that is used to provide information comprehensively, accurately, and systematically (7)(8)(9)(10). This technique has been widely applied in the healthcare community and has proven its advantages in the context of nursing handovers (2,3,(11)(12)(13). However, the lack of a standard handover checklist for use in ICU nursing settings increases the risks that may arise during the handover process to some extent (14-16).…”