Communication in a healthcare setting is considered pivotal, where every given situation may affect the results delivered on the patient. SBAR is among the popularly followed communication models and frameworks in clinical practice. The SBAR stands for Situation, Background, Assessment, and Recommendation.
Furthermore, it will help the health professional communicate well with other professionals to treat critical patients and address urgent medical issues. This article contains a detailed description of each component of the SBAR framework that is necessary in management and communication related to hypertension care plan. In addition to this, you can learn several important things from the SBAR example for hypertension.
What is Hypertension?
Hypertension is the medical condition of chronic elevation in systemic arterial blood pressure. It is defined as either systolic pressures greater than 130 mmHg or diastolic pressures greater than 80 mmHg. Moreover, it is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease, including heart failure, myocardial infarction, and stroke. Hypertension may be asymptomatic; therefore, screening is of the essence, and it also requires careful management.
SBAR Implementation for Hypertension
- Situation
The “Situation” part should outline the immediate context of the patient’s condition. It should, therefore, provide a glimpse of what the urgent matter is.
Example: “I am calling to discuss Mr. John Doe, a 65-year-old male with a history of hypertension, who presented to the emergency department with a blood pressure reading of 190/110 mmHg. He also appears to have high anxiety and complaints of headaches.”
In this part, the presenter states the patient’s name and the demographics that are relevant. It describes the reading of current blood pressure, describes the symptoms presented, and finally their emotional state. This quick overview sets the tone for the level of urgency.
- Background
The section headed “Background” places the receiving health professional in a position to understand the patient’s medical history and interventions already performed. This may be a highly valuable history that is necessary for present decision-making in care plans.
SBAR example for hypertension: “Mr. Doe has a well-documented history of hypertension, starting 15 years ago with symptom management via pharmacological intervention, taking lisinopril 20 mg po daily. Recently, he missed two doses due to travel. His other conditions include type 2 diabetes and hyperlipidemia, for which he takes metformin and atorvastatin, respectively. Previous blood pressures have averaged between 130/85 mmHg and 150/90 mmHg, controlled by medication adherence.”
In this setting, the communicator provides background information on points that may have precipitated the acute elevation in blood pressure due to medication noncompliance because of travel. Comorbid conditions related to cardiovascular risk will also help the physician establish a treatment plan. This is a very important context for further management.
- Evaluation
This section, “Assessment,” requires interpretation of data in the situation and background sections by the healthcare provider. It encompasses educational evaluation of clinical observations and their results.
Sample: “Upon physical examination, Mr. Doe presents with a BP of 190/110 mmHg together with tachycardia of 100 beats per minute and in mild distress due to his hypertensive headache. No neurological deficits could be shown. Lab results indicate an increased BUN of 25 mg/dL, and serum creatinine is estimated at 1.5 mg/dL, which are also indicative of acute kidney injury as a complication of uncontrolled hypertension. An electrocardiogram was done showing left ventricular hypertrophy, typical of long-standing hypertension.”
This section ties together clinical findings and laboratory results that are of urgent concern, and explains not only the severity of Mr. Doe’s condition but also points to possible complications of prolonged hypertension.
- Recommendation
Finally, under “Recommendation” should come what is necessary in terms of action or intervention with regard to the identified issues. This depicts readiness for collaboration and charts a direction for treatment.
SBAR example for hypertension: “I recommend starting IV antihypertensive therapy without delay, probably with labetalol or nitroglycerin, to safely and effectively lower the blood pressure. Further, I would recommend close renal function monitoring in view of the high BUN and creatinine. It would be better to have consultations from a cardiologist for further evaluation of the cardiovascular health status and management of his acute renal impairment.”
Due to explicit and actionable recommendations, the communicator will make sure the receiving provider knows what needs to be done in managing the patient’s hypertension crisis. This proactive care becomes paramount in improving the patient outcomes.
The Bottom Lines
The SBAR framework is an invaluable tool of communication for healthcare providers on vital information regarding hypertension dynamics. The SBAR example for hypertension explains everything very clearly. This means that health professionals have a way of systematically communicating about the Situation, Background, Assessment, and Recommendation for the most optimal care of each patient’s unique clinical situation.
Furthermore, after recognizing how this is applied, health care professionals will be in a better position to enhance their practice and improve the health of their patients. No doubt, such type of communication is very important in urgent or complicated cases; saving time, it may also prevent bad health outcomes. Since SBAR embeds this practice, health teams will be able to enhance interprofessional communication, showing their commitment to patient-centered care and continuous quality improvement within the health system.
FAQs
- What is SBAR, and why is it so important in the management of hypertension?
The purpose of the SBAR standardized communication framework is to enable clear and efficient information exchange in healthcare. In managing hypertension, for instance, SBAR ensures that all care team members are well-informed about the patient’s status and any necessary interventions. .
- How can I apply the SBAR technique in my practice?
To implement SBAR in practice, start by stating the patient’s current situation, followed by any relevant background, an assessment of the clinical findings present, and clear recommendations. This method ensures maximum understanding and allows for the best care for the patient.
- For what kind of situation would the SBAR tool be utilized?
The role of SBAR is helpful in the handoff of health professionals, on admission, and during enhancing the level of care in deteriorating conditions. It will be most applicable in chronic disease management like hypertension.
- Does it improve patient outcomes with the use of SBAR?
Yes, SBAR can enhance a health professional’s communication skills, reduce the chances of committing mistakes, and result in faster and appropriate intervention, hence improving overall outcomes in chronic conditions like hypertension.
