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Learning Objective 1: The learner will be able to identify importance of preventing miscommunication of patient information.
Learning Objective 2: The learner will be able to prevent healthcare errors at the beginning and end of shift report.
Situation, Background, Assessment and Recommendation (SBAR):
A Change of Shift Verbal Reporting Method to Improve Communication among Nurses
Purpose: The purpose of this evidenced based practice (EBP) change project is to evaluate staff nurses’ perception of the effectiveness of SBAR as a change of shift verbal reporting method. SBAR, acronym for Situation, Background, Assessment and Recommendation, is used to improve communication among nurses during the change of shift report.
Background:SBAR a verbal reporting method of hand-off communication was implemented to reduce the occurrence of patient adverse events. PICO question is: Does the use of SBAR as a standardized verbal reporting method during the change of shift report improve communication as perceived by staff nurses compared with a non standardized verbal report?
Intervention: For the intervention, participants were provided with information on how to use SBAR as a standardized report method. A Staff Self Report Questionnaire was used before and after SBAR implementation, and analyzed to examine the perceived effectiveness of communication (PEC) among nurses during the change of shift report.
Outcomes: Prior to the project intervention, the participants’ mean PEC score was M=37.2, (SD = 6.4) and their scores ranged from 27-50. The highest possible score on the staff questionnaire was 50 and the lowest 10. After the intervention, the mean PEC score increased to M= 43.8 (SD=4.8). The paired sample t test revealed that there is a significant improvement in the PEC score after using SBAR as a verbal reporting method of communication during the change of shift report, t (14) = 5.19, p = .000.
Implications/Recommendation: The use of SBAR as a standardized verbal reporting method promoted effective communication as perceived by staff nurses during the change of shift report. Further study is needed to examine SBAR as an improved communication method helps in reducing adverse events such as pressure ulcers and medication errors.