SBAR
Clinical Handoff Communication
The structured handoff that doesn''t forget anything.
What this mnemonic does is convert a chaotic phone call to the on-call physician into a four-line handoff that gets the patient what they need. SBAR — Situation (one-liner: who, where, what), Background (relevant history), Assessment (what you think is happening), Recommendation (what you want to happen) — is the communication standard across hospitals, telehealth, and inter-facility transfers. AANP exam questions test SBAR by handing you a scenario and asking what to say first or what's missing from a documented handoff. Skipping the recommendation is the most common error and the most frequently tested gap; always close the loop with a specific ask.
- SSituationWho, where, what''s happening right now. 'Mr. Jones in 304 has new chest pain.'
- BBackgroundPertinent history and admission reason. Keep it tight — no data dumping.
- AAssessmentYour clinical read: vital trends, your differential, current concern.
- RRecommendationWhat you need: evaluation, order, transfer, consult. Be specific.
Clinical Context
Joint Commission-endorsed handoff tool used at shift change, when calling providers, and escalating critical findings. Standardizes communication so nothing falls through the cracks during a transition of care.
The "R" is the most commonly skipped step — always ask for something specific. "The patient looks bad" leaves the receiver guessing; "I need you at the bedside for evaluation in the next 15 minutes" drives action. AANP professional-role questions lean on SBAR for escalation scenarios — learn the script.
Related Mnemonics
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