Sbar communication technique

Healthcare professionals including nurses have been educated to deal with patients in communication, but not among themselves or how to communicate during an emergency. Also, there are no rules for verbal communication, whether direct or through telephone. It is obvious that communication errors may have adverse effects on patients. It is praiseworthy that various steps have been taken for the improvement of communication among the staff. These will ultimately result in the safety of the patients. According to Dr. Michael Leonard, MD, nurses’ communication is descriptive. But that of the physicians is strict to the point. He feels that the SBAR model will nullify the differences in approach and style. It proposes how a nurse should communicate with a doctor. Adopting the SBAR tool has considerably improved the patient’s safety. It is valuable not only for communication between doctor and nurse but among a number of team members. Let us look at the following instance. Mr. Joy took his wife to the hospital. She had a hysterectomy with bowel perforation. An overdose of medicines resulted in permanent brain damage. Joy had no idea about SBAR tools. So because of his precarious and tense situation, Joy failed to inform the actual cause to the doctors. If he had communicated properly, he could have avoided the mental agony that he and his wife suffered. His wife would have got the correct treatment and would have been better placed. Even the doctor, who felt guilty for not successful in treating the wife would have been spared.
Summary of Article
This clearly shows how a little bit of care can prolong the life of the patient and enhance the happiness of his beloved ones. At the same time, sheer neglect can endanger his life. The hospital staff should consider it their duty to contribute to the well being of the patients. There comes the importance of SBAR techniques.