SBAR is a standardized handoff protocol used to communicate critical information during transitions of care. What do the letters SBAR stand for?

• A. Situation, Background, Assessment, Recommendation.
• B. Summary, Background, Analysis, Response.
• C. Status, Baseline, Alert, Remarks.
• D. Scenario, Brief, Action, Result.

Answer: (A)

A clear, structured handoff during transitions of care uses a concise framework to ensure critical information is communicated quickly and completely. SBAR stands for Situation, Background, Assessment, and Recommendation.

Begin with the current situation: what is happening now and why you’re communicating. Then share the background: relevant history, medications, events leading up to this moment, and any factors that matter for the current issue. Next comes the assessment: your clinical interpretation, concern level, and what you believe the patient’s status is. Finally, provide the recommendation: what you think should happen next, including orders, tests, or actions you’re requesting from the recipient.

This order emphasizes immediate context, relevant history, the clinician’s interpretation, and a clear plan or request, which helps reduce miscommunication and supports safe, timely decision-making. Other phrasings diverge from this structure and can omit or reorder key elements, making it harder to convey essential information efficiently.