Examining the feasibility and utility of an SBAR protocol in long-term care

Abstract

Ineffective nurse–physician communication in the nursing home setting adversely affects resident care as well as the work environment for both nurses and physicians. Using a repeated measures design, this quality improvement project evaluated the influence of SBAR (Situation; Background of the change; Assessment or appearance; and Request for action) protocol and training on nurse communication with medical providers, as perceived by nurses and physicians, using a pre–post questionnaire. The majority (87.5%) of nurses respondents found the tool useful to organize information and provide cues on what to communicate to medical providers. Limitations expressed by some nurses included the time to complete the tool, and communication barriers not corrected by the SBAR tool. Project findings, including reported physician satisfaction, support the use of SBAR to address both issues of complete documentation and time constraints.

Decisions to Transfer Nursing Home Residents to Emergency Departments: A Scoping Review of Contributing Factors and Staff Perspectives

“…Development of safe intervention protocols to treat common acute conditions affecting the NH resident population can aim resources at programs to be piloted, measured, and funded if they demonstrate a significant effect on ED transfers. Some early interventions include point-of-care testing and building partnerships with community diagnostic organizations to expedite treatment, access to clinical nurse specialists, 36 NPs, 37 communication protocols for handover of information, 38 telemedicine, 39 and symptom alert systems for front-line NH care aide staff. 40 As more than 50% of NH-ED transfers lead to hospital admissions, interventions to reduce ED admissions are highly relevant.…”

Introduction of Situation, Background, Assessment, Recommendation into Nursing Practice: A Prospective Study

“…where 28% of nurses responded that SBAR tool was time-consuming. [13] It can be seen that only 53% of nurses felt patient involvement in documenting information and plan of care was necessary.…”

Situation, Background, Assessment, Recommendation (SBAR) Communication Tool for Handoff in Health Care – A Narrative Review

“…Renz SM et al [61] 2013 USA Pre-and postintervention study 137 bed skilled nursing home, part of a faith-based continuing care retirement community in suburban Pennsylvania. 40 nurses participated in pre-intervention phase and 32 participated in postintervention phase 87.5% of nurses found SBAR tool useful to organize information when communicating to medical providers.…”

“…Over 80% of nurses found the tool useful, helping them to organize the resident's clinical information and provide cues on what needs to be communicated to the care providers (Table 1). Limitations reported by nurses include the time required to complete the tool and non-verbal communication barriers not addressed by the SBAR tool [61].…”