Enhancing patient safety outcomes through SBAR communication: A systematic review

DOI: https://doi.org/10.33024/minh.v8i7.1046

Authors

  • Nanang Kosim Universitas Qamarul Huda Badaruddin Bagu
  • Saimi Saimi Universitas Qamarul Huda Badaruddin Bagu

Communication Patient Safety SBAR

Abstract

Background: SBAR (Situation, Background, Assessment, Recommendation) is a structured communication framework designed to facilitate the logical and efficient transfer of information among healthcare professionals. This method supports the identification, assessment, and management of patient risks. Ineffective communication is a leading contributor to patient safety incidents; therefore, implementing structured communication like SBAR is essential for enhancing the quality and safety of healthcare delivery.

Purpose: To explore and analyze the impact of SBAR communication on improving the effectiveness of patient safety within healthcare settings.

Method: A systematic review approach in accordance with the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines. A thorough search was conducted across multiple scholarly databases—Scopus, PubMed, ScienceDirect, and Google Scholar—using the keywords: "SBAR AND communication AND healthcare AND facilities."

Results: The implementation of SBAR enhances healthcare workers’ communication competencies, fosters a safer and more reassuring environment for patients, and contributes positively to the overall quality of care.

Conclusion: SBAR is a communication tool that promotes timely, accurate, complete, and clear information exchange, thereby supporting the effectiveness of patient safety practices in healthcare services.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References

Abbaszade, A., Assarroudi, A., Armat, M. R., Stewart, J. J., Rakhshani, M. H., Sefidi, N., & Sahebkar, M. (2021). Evaluation of the impact of handoff based on the SBAR technique on quality of nursing care. Journal of nursing care quality, 36(3), E38-E43.

Abrishami, R., Golestani, K., Ranjbar, M. F., Abarghouie, M. H. G., & Ghadami, A. (2024). A survey on the effects of patient safety training programs based on SBAR and FMEA techniques on the level of self-efficacy and observance of patient safety culture in Iran hospital, Shiraz in 2022–2023. Journal of Education and Health Promotion, 13(1), 66.

Al-Yahyai, A. N. S., Arulappan, J., Matua, G. A., Al-Ghafri, S. M., Al-Sarakhi, S. H., Al-Rahbi, K. K. S., & Jayapal, S. K. (2021). Communicating to non-speaking critically ill patients: augmentative and alternative communication technique as an essential strategy. SAGE open nursing, 7, 23779608211015234.

Alizadeh-Risani, A., Mohammadkhah, F., Pourhabib, A., Fotokian, Z., & Khatooni, M. (2024). Comparison of the SBAR method and modified handover model on handover quality and nurse perception in the emergency department: a quasi-experimental study. BMC nursing, 23(1), 585.

Ammouri, A. A., Tailakh, A. K., Muliira, J. K., Geethakrishnan, R., & Al Kindi, S. N. (2015). Patient safety culture among nurses. International nursing review, 62(1), 102-110.

Brock, D., Abu-Rish, E., Chiu, C. R., Hammer, D., Wilson, S., Vorvick, L., & Zierler, B. (2013). Republished: interprofessional education in team communication: working together to improve patient safety. Postgraduate medical journal, 89(1057), 642-651.

Cam, H., Wennlöf, B., Gillespie, U., Franzon, K., Nielsen, E. I., Ling, M., & Kälvemark Sporrong, S. (2023). The complexities of communication at hospital discharge of older patients: a qualitative study of healthcare professionals’ views. BMC health services research, 23(1), 1211.

Haig, K. M., Sutton, S., & Whittington, J. (2006). SBAR: a shared mental model for improving communication between clinicians. The joint commission journal on quality and patient safety, 32(3), 167-175.

Hilda, H., Setiadi, R., Wahyuni, E. P., Supriadi, S., Loriana, R., Rasmun, R., & Nurachmah, E. (2018). Strengthening patients safety culture through the implementation of SBAR communication method. Health Notions, 2(8), 856-861.

Irawati, R., Widodo, A., & Yulian, V. (2025). The Effective Communication using SBAR (Situation, Background, Assessment, Recommendation) of Patient Handover in Inpatient Installation. Jurnal Berita Ilmu Keperawatan, 18(1), 47-55.

Lakoma, A., & Kim, E. S. (2014). Minimally invasive surgical management of benign breast lesions. Gland surgery, 3(2), 142.

Lo, L., Rotteau, L., & Shojania, K. (2021). Can SBAR be implemented with high fidelity and does it improve communication between healthcare workers? A systematic review. BMJ open, 11(12), e055247.

McCarthy, S., Motala, A., Lawson, E., & Shekelle, P. G. (2025). Use of structured handoff protocols for within-hospital unit transitions: a systematic review from Making Healthcare Safer IV. BMJ Quality & Safety.

Mohamed, M. E., Yousif, K. I., & Ahmed, M. M. H. (2024). Nurses’ Knowledge About Bedside Shift Reports In Critical Care Units In Governmental Hospitals–Khartoum State.

Müller, M., Jürgens, J., Redaèlli, M., Klingberg, K., Hautz, W. E., & Stock, S. (2018). Impact of the communication and patient hand-off tool SBAR on patient safety: a systematic review. BMJ open, 8(8), e022202.

Pakpahan, R. E., Saragih, H., Saragih, E., & Duha, E. (2025). An Overview of the Implementation of Sbar Communication Techniques in the Inpatient Room of Santa Elisabeth Hospital Medan Year 2024. Jurnal EduHealth, 16(01), 766-722.

Pazar, B., Kavakli, O., Ak, E. N., & Erten, E. E. (2024). Implementation and evaluation of the SBAR Communication Model in Nursing handover by Pediatric surgery nurses. Journal of PeriAnesthesia Nursing, 39(5), 847-852.

Petersson, P., Hagell, P., & Westergren, A. (2015). The situation, background, assessment and recommendation (SBAR) model for communication between health care professionals: A clinical intervention pilot study. International Journal of Caring Sciences, 8(3), 530.

Rudberg, I., Olsson, A., Thunborg, C., & Salzmann-Erikson, M. (2023). Interprofessional communication in a psychiatric outpatient unit–an ethnographic study. BMC nursing, 22(1), 286.

Ryan, S., Ward, M., Vaughan, D., Murray, B., Zena, M., O'Connor, T., & Patton, D. (2019). Do safety briefings improve patient safety in the acute hospital setting? A systematic review. Journal of Advanced Nursing, 75(10), 2085-2098.

Shinta, N. D., & Bunga, A. L. (2024). The implementation of SBAR communication method for patient safety: A literature review. Malahayati International Journal of Nursing and Health Science, 7(5), 537-553.

Siauta, V. A., Imansari, A., & Lilipaly, O. I. (2024). Design of Digital-Based SBAR Communication Application in Handover Implementation at Undata Hospital, Central Sulawesi Province. Media Publikasi Promosi Kesehatan Indonesia (MPPKI), 7(12), 2944-2951.

Siokal, B., Amiruddin, R., Abdullah, T., Thamrin, Y., Palutturi, S., Ibrahim, E., & Mallongi, A. (2023). The influence of effective nurse communication application on patient satisfaction: a Literature Review. Pharmacognosy Journal, 15(3).

Stewart, K. R. (2016). SBAR, communication, and patient safety: An integrated literature review.

Strong, J., Drummond, S., Hanson, J., Pole, J. D., Engstrom, T., Copeland, K., & Sullivan, C. (2021). Outcomes of rapid digital transformation of large-scale communications during the COVID-19 pandemic. Australian Health Review, 45(6), 696-703.

Suryani, M., Mulyanti, Y., & Wahyuni, S. (2024, March). The Relationship between Effective Communication of The SBAR Method and the Implementation of Hand Over at Cimacan Hospital in 2023. In Proceeding of The International Conference on Health Sciences (TICHes) (Vol. 3, No. 3).

Ting, W. H., Peng, F. S., Lin, H. H., & Hsiao, S. M. (2017). The impact of situation-background-assessment-recommendation (SBAR) on safety attitudes in the obstetrics department. Taiwanese Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, 56(2), 171-174.

Toumi, D., Dhouib, W., Zouari, I., Ghadhab, I., Gara, M., & Zoukar, O. (2024). The SBAR tool for communication and patient safety in gynaecology and obstetrics: a Tunisian pilot study. BMC Medical Education, 24(1), 239.

Tůmová, P., & Bártlová, S. (2023). Transfer of information during patient translation through the SBAR communication tool. Contact, 25(3), 185.

Ulumiyah, N. H. (2018). Meningkatkan mutu pelayanan kesehatan dengan penerapan upaya keselamatan pasien di puskesmas. Jurnal Administrasi Kesehatan Indonesia, 6(2), 149-155.

Wang, Y., Zhai, S., Liu, L., Qu, B., & Wang, Z. (2024). Effect of empathy nursing combined with SBAR communication system on the negative emotions and nursing quality of children with tracheotomy. Technology and Health Care, 32(1), 369-378.

Yu, H., Liu, S., Li, F., & Zhou, B. (2025). Application effect of SBAR communication system in patients with prostate cancer: a retrospective study. Journal of Men's Health, 21(2), 92-100.

Yun, J., Lee, Y. J., Kang, K., & Park, J. (2023). Effectiveness of SBAR-based simulation programs for nursing students: a systematic review. BMC Medical Education, 23(1), 507.

Downloads

Published

2025-09-26

How to Cite

Enhancing patient safety outcomes through SBAR communication: A systematic review. (2025). MIN, 8(7), 843-857. https://doi.org/10.33024/minh.v8i7.1046