Enhancing Patient Safety through SBAR

Posted: July 7th, 2022

Module 05: Critical Thinking Assignment 530:

Safety Critical Communication 125 points

Hospital administration has asked you to develop a memo explaining how to use the SBAR (Situation, Background, Assessment, Recommendations) as a tool for safety critical communication during shift change among healthcare professionals. In the memo that you will be preparing, remember to address the following:

The importance of critical safety communication
At least two principles of safety-critical communications
A description of the SBAR tool
A hypothetical example of how to use each element of the SBAR tool, meaning examples of each of the following:
Situation
Background
Assessment
Recommendations
To see an example of the structure of a memo, view the following memo, “Fall Clothes Line Promotion,” developed by Purdue OWL.

Your memo should meet the following structural requirements:

A minimum of two pages that includes all the elements detailed above.
Follow APA 7th edition and Saudi Electronic University writing standards.
Be sure to cite any statistics or other information as appropriate.

Enhancing Patient Safety through SBAR: A Tool for Safety-Critical Communication in Healthcare

In healthcare settings, effective communication plays a pivotal role in ensuring patient safety and delivering quality care. The significance of safety-critical communication cannot be overstated, as it directly impacts patient outcomes, medical errors, and the overall efficiency of healthcare teams. This memo aims to provide an overview of the SBAR (Situation, Background, Assessment, Recommendations) tool, a valuable framework for enhancing communication during shift change among healthcare professionals. By adhering to the principles of safety-critical communication and utilizing the SBAR tool effectively, healthcare teams can reduce errors, improve patient care, and foster a culture of collaboration and patient-centeredness.

The Importance of Critical Safety Communication

Safety-critical communication is paramount in healthcare environments, where the consequences of miscommunication or oversight can be life-threatening. Effective communication between healthcare professionals during shift change ensures a smooth transfer of critical information, mitigates potential risks, and maintains the continuity of care. Research indicates that poor communication is a contributing factor to a significant number of medical errors and adverse events (Weller et al., 2016). By embracing safety-critical communication, healthcare organizations can enhance patient safety, reduce adverse events, and improve patient outcomes.

Principles of Safety-Critical Communications

Clarity and Precision: Clear and precise communication is the foundation of safety-critical interactions. Healthcare professionals must use unambiguous language, avoid jargon or abbreviations, and articulate information concisely. By doing so, potential misunderstandings and errors can be minimized, leading to safer patient care.

Closed-Loop Communication: This principle ensures that the sender’s message is received, understood, and acknowledged by the receiver. It involves seeking feedback to confirm comprehension and promote a shared understanding of critical information. Closed-loop communication reduces the likelihood of critical details being overlooked or misinterpreted (Brindley & Reynolds, 2017).

Description of the SBAR Tool

The SBAR tool is a structured communication technique that provides a standardized framework for conveying essential information between healthcare professionals. It was originally developed by the US Navy and has since been widely adopted in healthcare settings. SBAR ensures that communication is concise, clear, and focused, enhancing the efficiency of shift change handoffs.

Situation: The first component of SBAR involves providing a brief overview of the patient’s current situation, including their status, symptoms, and any significant changes since the last shift. For instance, “Patient X is a 65-year-old male with a history of hypertension, presenting with shortness of breath and a temperature of 39°C.”

Background: The background section outlines relevant contextual information about the patient’s medical history, recent treatments, and previous assessments. For example, “Patient X was admitted three days ago for pneumonia and has been receiving intravenous antibiotics.”

Assessment: This part of the SBAR tool entails a comprehensive evaluation of the patient’s current condition, including vital signs, lab results, and any pertinent findings. “The patient’s oxygen saturation is 92%, and a recent chest X-ray reveals consolidation in the right lower lobe.”

Recommendations: In the final component, healthcare professionals offer clear and actionable suggestions for ongoing care or interventions. For instance, “I recommend initiating a broad-spectrum antibiotic and consulting the respiratory team for further evaluation.”

Hypothetical Example of SBAR Application

Situation: “Ms. Y, a 50-year-old female post-operative patient, has a sudden drop in blood pressure and reports severe abdominal pain.”

Background: “Ms. Y underwent abdominal surgery two days ago for a cholecystectomy and has been recovering well without any complications.”

Assessment: “Her blood pressure is currently 90/60 mmHg, and her heart rate is 110 beats per minute. She appears pale and diaphoretic.”

Recommendations: “Please administer a fluid bolus and notify the surgeon immediately for further evaluation of possible internal bleeding.”

In conclusion, safety-critical communication is indispensable in healthcare, particularly during shift change handoffs. The SBAR tool serves as an effective means of promoting concise, clear, and standardized communication among healthcare professionals. By adhering to the principles of safety-critical communication and utilizing the SBAR tool, healthcare teams can enhance patient safety, reduce errors, and ultimately improve patient outcomes.

References:

Weller, J. M., Civil, N., & Torrie, J. (2016). Effective communication is the key to good teamwork. British Journal of Anaesthesia, 116(1), 49-54.

Brindley, P. G., & Reynolds, S. F. (2017). Improving verbal communication in critical care medicine. Journal of Critical Care, 42, 265-271.

Greenberg, C. C., Regenbogen, S. E., Studdert, D. M., & Lipsitz, S. R. (2016). Patterns of communication breakdowns resulting in injury to surgical patients. Journal of the American College of Surgeons, 223(5), 658-665.

Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. (2016). TeamSTEPPS® 2.0 pocket guide: Team strategies & tools to enhance performance & patient safety. AHRQ Publication No. 15-0001-4.