Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 7, 2025

Setup and Execution of the Rapid Cycle Deliberate Practice Death Notification Curriculum
Published on: August 5, 2020
Using 'Situation-Background-Assessment-Recommendation' Method in Palliative Care to Enhance Handover Quality and
Floriana Pinto1, Pasquale Roberto1, Lucrezia Ferrario2
1ASST Grande Ospedale Metropolitano Niguarda, Milan, Italy.
Aim:
To evaluate the impact of using 'Situation-Background-Assessment-Recommendation' method ('SBAR') in a palliative care setting.
Background:
Effective handover communication is crucial for patient safety. Standardised communication tools, such as the SBAR method, are recommended to reduce errors and improve care coordination, but their use in palliative care is not investigated.
Design:
Mixed method study design, adhering to the GRAMMS guideline.
Methods:
From January to October 2021, a SBAR guide tailored for palliative care was developed using the Delphi method and implemented in a Hospice setting. Data on 150 nurse handovers were collected before and after implementation to assess changes in nursing outcomes, including medication errors, adverse events and the identification of psychological and spiritual needs. Nurses' perceptions on the handover process were gathered through a qualitative survey.
Results:
The SBAR guide significantly improved the handovers quality, reducing medication errors and eliminating adverse events postimplementation. The identification of psychological and spiritual needs increased during postimplementation period. Nurses also reported improved clarity, accuracy and completeness of information during handover.
Conclusion:
This is the first study to evaluate the impact of SBAR for handover in palliative nursing care. Findings show the added value of using communication tools.
Related Concept Videos
SBAR I: Understanding the Concept
Standardized methods of communication have been developed to ensure that information is...
Types of Reports I: Hands-off Report
Following are the key components and categories of hand-off reports:
Purpose and Process:
Techniques of therapeutic communication I: Active Listening, Sharing Observations, Validation, and Using Touch
Therapeutic communication is not the same as social interaction. Social interaction has no goal or purpose and consists of casual information sharing, whereas therapeutic communication has a plan or purpose for the conversation. Therapeutic...
Documentation in Long-Term and Home Healthcare Setting
Long-Term Care Facilities
SBAR II: Application of SBAR
SBAR Report from a Nurse to a Health Care Provider
S: "Hello, Dr. Smith. This is Jane, RN, from the Med Surg unit. I am calling to tell you about Ms. White in Room 210, who is experiencing increased pain and redness at her incision site. Her recent...
Ethical Issues
Ethical Concerns in Healthcare:

