Abstract

Objective: To evaluate how nurses perceive the effectiveness of the SBAR framework and its perception when used as a tool for handover communication.
Methodology: This cross-sectional descriptive study was carried out at Riphah International Hospital, Islamabad from August 2022 to January 2023, to assess the perceptions regarding SBAR among 165 staff including nurses, male and female working in the hospital. A handover tool was used to self-report their perceptions.
Results: Most of the nurses (82%) opined that SBAR followed a logical sequence with significant reduction in communication errors after its use. 52.2% of the staff members reported that they would always recommend the SBAR tool in other areas. Most of staff (67.1%) had good perceptions regarding the use of SBAR framework and very few had poor perception. The mean duration of handovers was reduced after using SBAR.
Conclusion: The SBAR method is a secure and effective tool that can be endorsed for implementation across diverse healthcare environments. This communication technique, SBAR, offers a structured and rational sequence for information exchange, which has been demonstrated to significantly enhance patient safety.

Key words: Handover, nurses, assessment, recommendation (SBAR), standardized communication tool.