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Hand over a patient in SBAR

Use SBAR to hand over a patient at the end of a shift or on transfer. Download the text file and paste it into your handover sheet.

Download the templateDownload it free with no sign-up and paste the plain text into any clinic system.

Fill in each section

SectionWhat to enterExample
PatientWho the patient is, where they are and who is handing over to whom.John Q. Public, 77, medical ward bed 12.
SituationWhat is happening now, in one or two sentences.Admitted with new confusion, now more settled.
BackgroundThe history that bears on the situation, including baseline function.Lives alone, independent at baseline per daughter.
AssessmentYour view of the problem and how the patient is now.Likely delirium, precipitant not yet confirmed.
RecommendationWhat you need the next doctor to do, specifically.Review the 10 p.m. sodium result.
Pending resultsEach result not yet back, and who will chase it.Repeat sodium, sent 6 p.m., night doctor to review.
Outstanding tasksEach task not yet done, with an owner and a time.Collateral history from daughter, day team tomorrow.
Escalation planWhen to escalate and to whom, and any ceiling of care agreed.Escalate to the senior medical resident if reduced consciousness.

Copy the template

SBAR HANDOVER

PATIENT
Patient name and record number:
Location:
Handed over by:
Handed over to:
Date and time:

SITUATION
Situation:

BACKGROUND
Reason for admission:
Relevant history:
Baseline function:

ASSESSMENT
Working diagnosis:
Current condition and observations:

RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation:

PENDING RESULTS
Test, time sent and who reviews:

OUTSTANDING TASKS
Task, owner and by when:

ESCALATION PLAN
Escalate if:
Escalate to:
Ceiling of care, if agreed:

Use it in four steps

  1. 1

    Start with the situation

    Say in one sentence why this patient needs handing over.

  2. 2

    Keep the background short

    Give only the history that bears on tonight.

  3. 3

    List what is pending

    Name each pending result and task with an owner.

  4. 4

    End with a clear request

    Say what you need done and when to escalate.

Frequently asked questions

Is SBAR only for phone calls?

No. Many teams use it for written handovers and escalation notes as well.

What gets lost most often at handover?

Pending results and tasks without an owner. The template gives each its own section.