SBAR Reference Card
Structured communication for safer, faster clinical handoffs & escalations
S — Situation B — Background A — Assessment R — Recommendation

S — Situation

What is happening now? Why are you calling?
  • Identify yourself, unit, patient (name/age/MRN/room).
  • State the immediate issue: “I’m calling about…”
  • Give current vitals & critical symptoms concisely.
  • Is the patient stable or unstable?

B — Background

What relevant context does the receiver need?
  • Primary diagnosis & date of admission/procedure.
  • Key history: comorbidities, allergies, code status.
  • Treatments/meds given & response so far.
  • Recent labs/imaging that matter to the problem.

A — Assessment

What do you think is going on?
  • Your focused assessment & clinical impression.
  • Trends: improving, worsening, or unchanged.
  • Risk level: low / moderate / high concern.
  • What data supports your concern?

R — Recommendation

What do you need right now?
  • Specific ask: review now, new orders, tests, transfer.
  • Suggest actions: oxygen, fluids, EKG, labs, imaging.
  • Clarify time frame & callback number.
  • Read-back & close the loop on plans.

30‑Second SBAR Script

S: “This is [Your Name] from [Unit] about [Pt Name, Age, Room]. [Problem].”
B: “Admitted for [Dx] with [key history]. Received [Tx/meds].”
A: “Now [vitals/changes]. I’m concerned about [impression/risk].”
R: “I recommend [action] and need it [timeline]. Call back [ext].”

Phone/Escalation Note Template

S: _______________________________________________________
B: _______________________________________________________
A: _______________________________________________________
R: _______________________________________________________
Orders/Plan: __________________________________ Time: ______ Read‑back ✔
Tip: Keep a printed stack near phones; photograph note for the chart per policy.