SBAR Template with Examples
The short answer
An SBAR has four parts: Situation (what is happening right now), Background (the relevant history), Assessment (what you think is going on) and Recommendation (what you want done or are asking for). Keep each part to a sentence or two and lead with the most urgent fact.
A blank template to copy
S: I am ___ calling about ___ in room ___. The problem is ___, which started ___.
B: Relevant history: ___. What changed: ___.
A: My assessment is ___. I am worried about ___.
R: I would like you to ___ by ___. Meanwhile I will ___.
A filled-in example: urgent (fictional patient)
S: "This is the nurse on 5 West calling about Ms. A. in room 412. Her heart rate has climbed to 128. It was 88 an hour ago."
B: "She was admitted yesterday with pneumonia. She has a history of atrial fibrillation and takes metoprolol."
A: "Her temperature is 38.9. I am concerned this could be rapid atrial fibrillation or a response to the fever."
R: "Can you come and assess her now? Would you like an ECG repeated before you arrive?"
A filled-in example: non-urgent (fictional patient)
S: "I am calling about Mr. C. in room 8. He has had no bowel movement for three days."
B: "He is day 2 after surgery and is taking opioid pain medication."
A: "He is comfortable and his abdomen is soft, but he is asking about it."
R: "Could you review his bowel orders when you have a moment today?"
Saying that a call is not urgent is useful information to the listener.
Common mistakes
- Starting with background instead of the urgent situation.
- Burying the actual ask inside a long assessment.
- Listing every vital sign instead of the ones that changed.
- Skipping the recommendation and expecting the listener to infer it.
- Not saying how soon you need a response.
Using the template
Fill the template in before you call: it takes about a minute and often reveals that you are missing a fact such as the previous set of vital signs. Practise reading it aloud. Adapt the wording to your workplace's policy, which may specify who to call and when to activate a rapid response.
Where Fiabita fits
Fiabita's rewrite and SBAR tools can turn rough notes into clearer wording, and you review every line before it goes anywhere. Fiabita does not know your employer's policy, cannot certify that a note is compliant and does not replace your judgment, your instructor or your supervisor.
FAQ
Q: Is SBAR required everywhere in Canada?
No single rule applies everywhere. SBAR is widely taught and used, but the format your workplace expects comes from your employer's policy and your school's instructions.
Q: Can students use SBAR?
Yes. Practising it in simulation and with your preceptor before you need it is one of the safest ways to build the habit.
Q: Does SBAR replace documentation?
No. It structures a conversation. If a significant change or a call happened, document what you observed, who you contacted, what was said or ordered and what you did, following your workplace policy.
Sources and further reading
- AHRQ TeamSTEPPS: SBAR — definition and purpose of SBAR