SBAR — the structured handover that saves lives
Lesson 1 of 4 in Interprofessional Team Communication · 22 minutes
Build on the SBAR basics from Course 4. This lesson covers shift handover with real values, unit huddles, transfers such as PACU to the floor, I-PASS with receiver synthesis, and a plan for your first weeks.
What you'll learn
- Apply SBAR to a shift handover with specific values
- Use the shorter huddle format and hand over a transfer (PACU to floor)
- Use I-PASS and give a receiver synthesis
- Plan your first weeks of handovers as an IEN
From the lesson
SBAR is the most-used handover format in Canadian healthcare. Strong SBAR is the difference between a smooth shift change and a missed deterioration. Course 4, Lesson 1 teaches the four parts of SBAR and how to use them for a call to a physician. This lesson builds on that: shift handover with real values, huddles, transfers, I-PASS and your adjustment plan.
1. Before you start: the SBAR basics
The four parts of SBAR (Situation, Background, Assessment, Recommendation), the length of a good handover, and SBAR for calls to a physician are taught in Course 4, Lesson 1. If you have not done that lesson yet, do it first. Then come back here.
In short: keep to the order S, B, A, R; use numbers, not…