SBAR for effective communication and start of a Project

Effective communication is a vital. Specially when you work in healthcare. Effective communication is a Huge factor in providing safe patient care. Communication failure in a healthcare setting could lead to serious medical errors. That’s why in the healthcare industry, SBAR is a common methodology and widely use.? But the history of SBAR did not start from healthcare, it originated with the Military.

SBAR was developed by the United States military for communication in nuclear submarines, but has been successfully used in many different healthcare settings, particularly relating to improving patient safety. SBAR consists of standardized prompt questions in four sections (we'll discuss these four later) to ensure that staff are sharing concise and focused information. It allows staff to communicate assertively and effectively, reducing the need for repetition and the likelihood for errors. As the structure is shared, it also helps staff anticipate the information needed by colleagues and encourages assessment skills. Using SBAR prompts staff to formulate information with the right level of detail. Today, the SBAR has been adopted by the non-profit and business communities because it empowers everyone in the organization with a tool they can use to successfully present information and decrease the time required to make decisions.

So what is SBAR?

SBAR is an easy to use, structured form of communication that enables information to be transferred accurately between individuals. SBAR stands for Situation, Background, Assessment (or sometimes referred to as Analysis), and Recommendation (or Request.)

SBARs are not meant to replace conversations - they are designed to consolidate all of the necessary information into one location so that all participants are working from the same information, and decisions can be made more quickly. SBARs also allows leadership to fill in any gaps in your background information if needed since SBARs help all parties be aware of the grouping of facts you are using to make your recommendation. A popular use of SBAR in the workplace is within emails. You can list out each section within the body of the email, which helps the recipient follow your thinking and recommendation. You can also use an SBAR to help organize your thoughts for a conversation or a presentation.

Here’s how you can use SBAR to effectively communicate:

Situation:?This is the reason for the email, call or conversation. This is stated simply and helps the recipient ground themselves in the reason for the interaction.

Example:

You’re a Toyota Car Salesman in the lot and met Mrs X. Mrs X, came to you and ask if Toyota has a passenger vehicle that can hold their growing family of 4. The situation here is that X family needs a vehicle that can hold a family of 4 with opportunity for more passengers.

Background:?These are the core facts that the person you are speaking with / emailing needs to know. These are FACTS, not OPINIONS. The facts may include information that the person needs to know to reacquaint them with the problem or situation. Key relevant and important facts are listed here. This section needs to be concise and applies to the situation. State any key deadlines or budget numbers, including factual implications if the decision is or is not made.

?Example:

In our example, to get a clearer picture of the Background, you ask Mrs. X the following:

• What type of car do you currently drive?
• What do you like about your car?
• How many passengers do you think you’ll have regularly?
• What is your budget?

Based on the feedback, you now understand the current state / the background based on the situation.? The X family currently drives a Prius. They like the gas mileage it provides. However, they have another baby coming in 6 months and they needed a bigger car.? They likely will hire a nanny - so they need a vehicle that can hold up to 6.? Their budget is within $50k to $60k. Mrs. X loves the smooth ride of the Prius, low to the ground but you cannot feel the bumps. She also mentioned that it must be easy to park inside their garage. The vehicle cannot be too high.

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Assessment:?This is where your expertise is leveraged. Based on your understanding of the situation and the facts - and your expertise - this is your assessment of the situation. Benefits and risks that are rooted in your assessment based on the situation and background.

?Example:

Toyota currently has the Sienna minivan, a Highlander, and Sequoia SUV - where all three vehicles can hold up to 7.? All have 3 rows, and option for bench seat on the second and third rows. This will increase seats up to 8 passengers.? But based on the background Mrs X provided, they wanted a vehicle that's easy to drive and not too high.? Both Highlander and Sequoia rides higher and rougher on the road due to their suspension. Also, with the new baby coming, the best option is to have a captain’s chair in the second row.? This will allow the carseat to be easily accessible and allowing a space in between captain’s chair to have your other 2 children go to the third row. Also, Sienna has a Hybrid version that is economical and you can travel up to 650 miles before filling up. Sienna averages 36 miles per gallon - both Highlander and Sequoia cannot compete. Sienna Hybrid also is below your $50K budget.

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Recommendation:?This is required and the meat of the conversation. You have to recommend what you think needs to happen based on the background (Facts) and Assessment (Your understanding and opinions). Clearly state what you think needs to happen. Your facts and assessment should make the case of your recommendation.

?Example:

I recommend? that you purchase the Sienna Hybrid.? The top of the line XSE that we have in our lot is $46k.? I may even be able to give you a discount of $500 below MSRP.? It rides low unlike SUV. You will have easy access to the second row for the new baby, and the third row is large enough to seat 3 adult passengers. Also, since you're having another family member in 6 months - both the Highlander & Sequoia need to be ordered.? We don't have hybrid for Sequoia, and the Highlander will take 3 months to arrive and not guaranteed.

Here’s how you can use SBAR in your workplace:

Introduce SBAR framework to the team to improve communication and when presenting new project proposals. SBAR?will be created to review (start of) a Project, Workflow Proposal, or a Change in an existing ICANN Framework. The purpose is to provide essential, concise information to communicate to leadership and stakeholders of a new proposal based on a situation.

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Situation

In this initial section, the exact circumstances of the situation get explained. Non-essential information is excluded. The focus should be on the seriousness of the situation. This is the reason for the Project. It is stated simply and helps leadership ground themselves in the reason of the project.

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Background

The background section presents essential information related to the situation. This information should pertain only to the current situation. The facts may include information that is necessary to reacquaint with the problem or situation. Key, relevant, important facts are listed here (normally done in bullet points.) This is often the longest section and must be concise. State the key deadlines (for example "End of Support Date") or budget numbers (exceeding our OPEX), including factual implications if the decision is or is not made (we are Non Compliant or vulnerability to our infrastructure security.)

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Assessment

The assessment is a precise statement based on the situation and background information. The assessment must be made by a qualified SME. This is where you, the SME, and your expertise is leveraged.? Based on your understanding of the situation and facts - this is your assessment of the situation.? Benefits and Risks that are rooted in your assessment must be clearly listed here.

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Recommendation

The SME makes a recommendation for resolving the issue based on the situation, background, and assessment. This is the most important section and the meat of the document. You recommend what you think needs to happen based on the background (Facts) and Assessment. Clearly state what you think needs to happen.? This is NOT where you make your case - your Background and Assessment should clearly explain this. Be Concise.

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The?SBAR?framework allows you to quickly and easily communicate important information in a format that is easy for stakeholders to understand - thereby decreasing the odds of miscommunication.??SBARs are an excellent way to "manage up" to leadership - meaning you manage him or her, rather than wait for them to manage you.