The SBAR (Situation-Background-Assessment-Recommendation) technique provides a framework for communication between members of the health care team about a patient's condition. SBAR is an easy-to-remember, concrete mechanism useful for framing any conversation, especially critical ones, requiring a clinician’s immediate attention and action. It allows for an easy and focused way to set expectations for what will be communicated and how between members of the team, which is essential for developing teamwork and fostering a culture of patient safety.

These five SBAR tools have been adapted specifically for use in labor and delivery. Teams participating in the Idealized Design of Perinatal Care have tested these tools and modified them to meet their own situations. 

• Perinatal SBAR Report Tool to Physician about a Critical Situation: Providers can use this worksheet/script to organize information in preparation for communicating with a physician about a critical situation in labor and delivery. Developed by Seton Healthcare Network (Austin, Texas, USA).

• Perinatal SBAR Report Tool to Describe Fetal Heart Rate Tracing: This tool can be used to improve communication among the care team about fetal heart tracings, and guides nurses in preparing an SBAR report focusing on fetal monitoring tracing. Developed by Seton Healthcare Network (Austin, Texas, USA).

• Seton Healthcare Network (Austin, Texas, USA) created two surveys to identify opportunities to continually improve the communication process between nurses and physicians. Although developed for the perinatal environment, these surveys can be adapted for other clinical situations.
  • SBAR Survey for Physicians: Used to survey physicians about SBAR reports from nurses as a technique to improve communication and patient care.
  • SBAR Survey for Nurses: Used to survey nurses about the use of SBAR to improve communication and patient care.

• Perinatal SBAR Report: This tool presents SBAR scenarios for three different clinical situations (obstetrics, newborn/pediatrics, anesthesia). Developed by Lourdes Hospital (Binghamton, New York, USA).