SBAR: Situation, Background, Assessment, Recommendation

A short structure for handover, escalation and professional communication. Record the skill — never the patient's identity.

What SBAR is

SBAR is a widely used way to speak clearly when the information matters: handing over, escalating concern, briefing a senior, or closing a loop with another team.

The four parts are Situation, Background, Assessment and Recommendation. Elaryvo did not invent SBAR. We teach it because doctors use it in real work, and because the Communication log should capture the skill without becoming a clinical note.

The four parts, in practice

Say the recommendation out loud. If you cannot name what you want, you are not finished.

Part	Ask yourself	Keep it short
Situation	Why are you calling or handing over now?	Who you are (role), where, and the issue in one line.
Background	What does the other person need to know first?	Relevant course of events only. No extra story.
Assessment	What do you think is going on?	Your professional view, including uncertainty.
Recommendation	What do you need them to do?	A clear ask, a timeframe, and how you will follow up.

How to practise and log SBAR in Elaryvo

After a handover or escalation, open Logbook → Communication.
Record the date, setting type and your role (e.g. registrar escalating overnight).
Note which SBAR parts you used, and one thing you would tighten next time.
If a supervisor observed the conversation, request a Professional Communication Review or Clinical Observation.
Add a short reflection if the episode changed how you will escalate next time.

The log shows you practise structured communication. It must never reproduce the clinical conversation.

De-identify without emptying the learning

Write: 'Escalated a deteriorating adult on the evening take using SBAR. Recommendation was senior review within 15 minutes. I had omitted the trend in observations; I will lead with that.'

Do not write names, ages that identify, bed numbers, diagnoses that are unique, or quotations that could be recognised.

SBAR and assessment

Using SBAR well is a communication skill. Logging it is evidence of practice. If a supervisor watched the handover, request Handover (SBAR) from Assessments. Elaryvo does not score SBAR against any college checklist.