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ISBAR Communication Tool For Health Professionals: Prior To Calling

This document outlines the ISBAR communication tool for health professionals making calls regarding a patient's care. The tool consists of 5 sections - I for Identification, S for Situation, B for Background, A for Assessment, and R for Request. Following the tool structure ensures all relevant information is communicated clearly and consistently between providers about a patient's identity, reason for the call, history, current status, and requested actions or questions. Use of this standardized approach aims to improve patient handoffs and prioritize urgent situations.

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Syamsul Arifin
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508 views

ISBAR Communication Tool For Health Professionals: Prior To Calling

This document outlines the ISBAR communication tool for health professionals making calls regarding a patient's care. The tool consists of 5 sections - I for Identification, S for Situation, B for Background, A for Assessment, and R for Request. Following the tool structure ensures all relevant information is communicated clearly and consistently between providers about a patient's identity, reason for the call, history, current status, and requested actions or questions. Use of this standardized approach aims to improve patient handoffs and prioritize urgent situations.

Uploaded by

Syamsul Arifin
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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ISBAR Communication Tool

For Health Professionals


Prior to calling:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

Assess the patient


Nurses if appropriate discuss your concerns with your senior nurse first in order to prioritise the call
Know the admitting diagnosis
Read the most recent progress notes and the assessment from the nurse and/or doctor on the previous
shift
Have available: Observation Chart and latest MEWS, Progress notes, Drug chart, Fluid Balance, Lab results

Identify:

Yourself by name and position


Your location
Who you are talking to
Identify:
Patient name & Consultant
Date of admission
Age
Sex
Location (if different from you)

Situation:

State the purpose of your call.


The reason I am calling is.
If urgent say so and reason why e.g. low blood pressure

Background:

Tell the story:


Current problem
Relevant history, relevant examination, relevant test results, brief synopsis of treatment
to date

Assessment:

State what you think is going on.


Most recent vital signs: BP ----- Pulse ----- Respirations ----- Temperature ----- Urine
Output
CNS level (AVPU) ----- MEWS ----- Is the patient on O? ----- Which Device?
Other: Pain ----- Muscoskeletal (deformity/weakness) ----- Input/Output ----- Wounds
Asculation

Request:

If required urgently say so and reason why


State what you would like to see done
Ask questions:
Are there any tests required? E.g. CXR, ECG etc.
Are there any medications/fluids required?
What change in the treatment plan is required?
How often do you want vital signs?
Does the trigger point for the MEWS score need adjusting for the patient?
If the patient doesnt improve when should they be called again?

AND REMEMBER

Document the change in condition


Who you spoke to
Orders given
Treatment instigated
Plan of care and patient response to care
Last Reviewed August 2010

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