SBAR (Situation, Background, Assessment, Recommendation)
An SBAR (Situation, Background, Assessment, Recommendation) is a communication tool presented in 4 standardised sections that allow organisations to present key information and communicate it in a clear and concise way. SBARs are often used in healthcare settings to:
- facilitate communication about patient care between healthcare workers; and/or
- present the results of an evidence review to inform evidence-based practice in healthcare settings.
The 4 standard sections are:
- Situation
Outline the reasons for undertaking the evidence review (e.g in response to an identified problem/issue) and the questions that the review needs to address. - Background
Key information that puts the situation in context or provides necessary background knowledge to inform the evidence assessment. - Assessment
An assessment of the available evidence to address the review question(s). - Recommendation
Recommendations (e.g. for practice, for further research) drawn from the evidence assessment.
SBARS
Assessing the evidence base for medical procedures which create a higher risk of respiratory infection transmission from patient to healthcare worker.
Reflects the findings of an HPS-led rapid review which aimed to assess the published scientific evidence and seek UK expert opinion to establish if the AGPs on the extant list continue to merit inclusion and whether additional procedures should be included.
This has been agreed in collaboration with experts from New and Emerging Respiratory Virus Threats Advisory Group (NERVTAG) and Public Health England (PHE).
Donning, doffing and decontamination of powered respirators
Guidelines for air powered respirators do not currently exist for use in NHSScotland; the aim of this SBAR is to present the available evidence to inform the optimum order for donning and doffing and the correct procedure for decontamination. HPS is currently consulting with professional colleagues across the UK on related work, this SBAR is therefore published as draft and may be updated based on the outcomes of this related work.
Masks for Invasive Spinal Procedure
This SBAR aims to assess the risk of bacterial meningitis following invasive spinal procedures.
Nosocomial Blood Borne Virus (BBV) Transmission
Transmission of blood-borne viruses (BBVs) continues to occur in the healthcare setting. This necessitates a review of the evidence to determine under what circumstances such transmissions occur, and whether current infection control guidelines, if properly implemented, are adequate to prevent transmission.
Use of Gloves for Environmental Cleaning
This SBAR aims to examine the scientific evidence underpinning re-usable gloves (including cotton glove liners) within the healthcare setting and whether this poses a risk to patients, staff and visitors. Also to determine whether consistent guidance across staff groups on glove selection for environmental cleaning can be established.
Gloves for Administering Immunisations
This is an update to the SBAR An evaluation of whether immunizers should wear gloves and whether vaccination sites should be cleaned if not visibly dirty (produced by HPS ICT March 2010). Health Protection Scotland received an enquiry as to whether it is necessary for healthcare workers administering immunisations to wear gloves. The SBAR reviews the more recent evidence and updates the 2010 SBAR.
Re-use of domestic gloves for cleaning within the healthcare environment
This SBAR was prepared in response to a request from an NHS Board for expert advice regarding the re-use of domestic (marigold style) cleaning goves within the healthcare environment.
Decontamination of Blood Gas Analysers
Blood gas analysers have been implicated in the transmission of nosocomial infection in several outbreak reports. There is currently no national guidance on decontamination of blood gas analysers. This SBAR provides recommendations for clinical practice for NHSScotland.
Portable cooling fans (bladed and bladeless) for use in clinical areas
This SBAR is a position statement from HPS in regards to the use of bladeless fans and similar products by NHSScotland.