SBAR Reporting in Critical Care

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I thought I would try this post here first.

I'm trying to find information on the use of SBAR reporting in units like the CCU, CTICU or even Telemetry. Has anyone ever used this method of report and if so, would you be willing to pass any information onto me? I ask because my unit is looking into this, my unit manager has asked to me to become involved in piloting it, and I would like to hear from all that have tried it.

Thanks for any reponses/information you can provide.

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We've been using SBAR for a while now, although I don't work in Critical Care, I work Med/Surg.

I'd be happy to help if I can.

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Specializes in ICU, Psych.

I work in a medical ICU and we use the SBAR tool. It is basically a tool you use in regards to a critical situation. We have a sheet that has each letter of the acronym.It becomes part of the patient's chart.

S-(Situation) You describe the situation(i.e. decreased loc,bp,hr,etc).

B-(Background)You give the background info.

A-(Assessment)You give your current assessment and what you

think the problem may be.

R-(Recommendation) Get this----you get to recommend what the

treatment should be.

If you have any more questions...just let me know!:lol2:

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Specializes in Travel Nursing, ICU, tele, etc.

We have the SBAR tool available to us if we need it and I think it is a useful tool for new nurses who may be a bit intimidated to call Docs when a patient has an issue. It does not become a part of a pt's chart and we are not required to use it.

That is what I would HIGHLY recommend, that you introduce it as a tool that is optional, but to require it of experienced nurses who regularly and skillfully interface with Physicians not a good idea (to put it mildly).

It will not go over well, I promise you, if you make it a requirement for all Dr calls. (That is what they tried to do with us, didn't work!!!).

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Specializes in Intermediate ICU, Medical ICU, PACU,CCU.

At my hospital, it is policy to use SBAR when calling the MD (usually intern or resident) ,and in ED giving report. It is not really used on regular floors or intermediate ICU's because written report is provided by the sending unit.

In reality, it probably occurs 50% of the time. It is a good way to organize info so that it is all available.

I work on a unit that is half CCU and half cardiac stepdown.

:redbeathe:redbeathe:redbeathe:redbeathe:smiley_ab:heartbeat:heartbeat:heartbeat

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Specializes in ICU,CCU, MICU, SICU, CVICU, CTSICU,ER.

My hospital has implememted SBAR for a while now. All staff are expected to use it, including physicians. IT began with MD complaints of inadequately prepared nurses calling doc without all the needed assessment info at hand. At 3AM the last thing a doc wants to hear is "wait a sec and I'll get the chart" or " Jenny, run and get that pt's BP really fast, the docs on the phone". Our mamager has left it up the the nurse to use the official SBAR tool (no one does) but we do speak in SBAR anyway.

S-situation: what is the problem you are calling about

B-background: Pt hx of present illness, allergies if pertinent, current meds

A-assessment: trends in VS current assessment findings

R-Recommendations: what is it you want. This can be tricky with some docs, so I say...I was think about ****, what do you think?

This shows you are using critical thinking and have a plan in mind. It also builds confidence in the healthcare team.

Our docs expect the ICU nurses to think it through, act if it is emergent, then call and tell what you did and seek other orders. We have a very high level of autonomy, and I believe SBAR is helping docs to trust nurses (esp the newer ones) more.

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Specializes in CCU/CVU/ICU.
We have the SBAR tool available to us if we need it and I think it is a useful tool for new nurses who may be a bit intimidated to call Docs when a patient has an issue. !!!).

THats exactly it. SBAR was instituted because of nurse-dummies calling doctors (or other nurses) and not knowing how to communicate. It *should* be humiliating to a 'good' nurse that she is being instructed on how to communicate a given situation/report. I suppose it's a good tool for new (or bad) nurses on how to get important information across. Otherwise, i am of the opinion that it's an insult to our intelligence...

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Specializes in CCRN, CNRN, Flight Nurse.

Below is my opinion..... take it or leave it.

My facility uses it for ER to ICU/floor report. Meaning, they call and tell us the SBAR is on the way (fax or pneumatic tube). No phone verbal report. We hate it!! It never seems to provide the info we want/need. Can't say as I've seen anything more worthless.

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Specializes in L & D; Postpartum.
Below is my opinion..... take it or leave it.

My facility uses it for ER to ICU/floor report. Meaning, they call and tell us the SBAR is on the way (fax or pneumatic tube). No phone verbal report. We hate it!! It never seems to provide the info we want/need. Can't say as I've seen anything more worthless.

Exactly! Our Birth Center unit is using it, BUT we give the SBAR to the charge nurse and she reads what's on it to the oncoming nurses. How's that for a system waiting to break down? The outgoing nurses don't feel like we've really handed off our patients properly--no closure, you know? And using this system, there have been mistakes made 2 for 2 in my own personal experience with it. It's about a week into this: hopefully it won't last.

I can see using the report form as long as it's not too cluttered (which ours is), but that method of giving report is not going to work.

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Specializes in M/S/Tele, Home Health, Gen ICU.

We use SBAR for the RRT, PAMPER for report and ticket to ride for transfers to radiology etc. PM me if you need details.

Celia

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http://www.ihi.org/IHI/Topics/PatientSafety/SafetyGeneral/Tools/SBARTechniqueforCommunicationASituationalBriefingModel.htm

A nice RN gave me this link when I started a topic "How to talk to Doctors". It talks about SBAR and then I gave a short presentation on

it in class.

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http://www.ihi.org/IHI/Topics/PatientSafety/SafetyGeneral/Tools/SBARTechniqueforCommunicationASituationalBriefingModel.htm

A nice RN gave me this link when I started a topic "How to talk to Doctors". It talks about SBAR and then I gave a short presentation on

it in class.

The above website is with the Institute for Healthcare Improvement.

You have to register to read about SBAR, but it is free to register.

Hope this helps!!!!

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