What is SBAR in Nursing?
SBAR is the gold standard communication framework used by nurses worldwide for patient handoffs. Originally developed by the US Navy for nuclear submarine crews, it was adapted for healthcare by Kaiser Permanente in the early 2000s and is now recommended by the Joint Commission, WHO, and every major nursing organization.
The Four Sections
S — Situation
What is happening right now? State the patient's name (initials), room, primary diagnosis, and the reason you're giving the report. This grounds the listener immediately.
B — Background
What is the clinical context? Relevant medical history, current medications, allergies, IV access, and baseline vitals. Give the incoming nurse what they need to understand the full picture.
A — Assessment
What do you think is going on? Current vitals, neuro status, pain level, I&O, labs of note, and your nursing assessment. This is where clinical judgment matters.
R — Recommendation
What needs to happen next? Pending orders, pending labs, anticipated changes, discharge progress, and your recommendation for the next shift. This is the actionable handoff.
Why Paper Brain Sheets Fall Short
Most nurses use paper "brain sheets" — pre-printed templates you can buy on Amazon for $8-15 per pad. You scribble notes throughout your 12-hour shift, then try to organize them during handoff. The problem: your notes are disorganized, you miss details under pressure, and the incoming nurse has to decode your handwriting.
ShiftSBAR replaces paper brain sheets with a voice-first digital workflow. Speak your brain dump at the end of your shift — medications, vitals, assessments, everything — and AI structures it into a clean SBAR report in seconds.
SBAR Examples by Unit
See real SBAR examples tailored to your unit: