Isobar handover.. I can't get my head around

Nurses General Nursing

Published

Hi

I am confused about Isobar handover.

I mean, I don't get what kind of information goes under each category..

For example, when a pt was assessed on admission that she/he had an ulcer, Or when the pt was dianosed with a chest infection after admittes and is receiving iv antibiotics, where should these information go? situation? observation? or background?

Could anyone help me here??

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Specializes in CCU, SICU, CVICU.

Do you mean SBAR? Never heard of "Isobar".

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No It's ISOBAR handover.

Standing for

Identity

Situation

Observation

Background

Agreed plan

Read back

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Specializes in CCU, SICU, CVICU.
No It's ISOBAR handover.

Standing for

Identity

Situation

Observation

Background

Agreed plan

Read back

Hmm, never heard of it. Just seems like a longer form of SBAR. Based on your examples, those would fall under Background or Observation probably. This type of communication is usually used when there is a change in condition from my experience. The "situation" would be your "they are now hypotensive [insert vital signs here]", observation would I guess be an extension of that "they appear diaphoretic and report feeling light headed". Background would be what brought them in "they were a AAA repair POD #4 with Dr Smith." In SBAR, the R was for recommendation, which this doesn't seem to give you the recommendation part.

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Thank you very much

But in my situation , I am actually doing handover to ask an RN to supervise me doing wound dressing

I think the assessment abou ulcer should fall under the situation casue that is what I am calling. am I right?.. If so, the chest infection diagnosis also need to move to the situation or stay under background?

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Specializes in CCU, SICU, CVICU.

The chest infection would be background.

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Now I think I have some ideas what they are like.

Thank you so much!!!

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Specializes in Hospice.

Any report format is probably going to be awkward at first but becomes smoother with time. And then there are occasions where important details don't seem to nicely fit into any of the categories. The thing I try to remember is get the information organized in a concise manner with the pertinent info.

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Specializes in Psych, Addictions, SOL (Student of Life).
No It's ISOBAR handover.

Standing for

Identity

Situation

Observation

Background

Agreed plan

Read back

I'm guessing it would go something like this.

Identity : Mr. Fred Flintstone

Situation: Stage 4 Diabetic ulcer to the left foot resulting in left below the knee amputation 24

hours ago

Observation: Dressing clean dry intact, Vital signs stable, behavior sad and withdrawn.

Background: Pt has been a type 2 diabetic for 15 years has always had trouble managing his

diabetes> Dietary consult and diabetes education ordered

Agreed plan: Manage would and provide physical and emotional support for the patient until stable

for discharge to rehab

Read back: No new orders received today

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Isobar? This stuff is getting crazier and crazier. Enough with the acronyms already. "Repeat." Are they trying to make report twice as long when patients are already demanding our attention when we 1st arrive?

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