Enhancing Effective Team Communication for Patient Safety:
An Adapted SBAR Communication Tool for Rehabilitation
Presenters:
Dr. Karima Velji, RN, PhD
Vice President, Patient Care and Chief Nursing Executive
Toronto Rehabilitation Institute
Dr. G. Ross Baker, PhD
Professor, Department of Health Policy, Management, and Evaluation
University of Toronto
The link between poor communication and adverse events is well recognized in the healthcare community. The aim of this pilot study was to enhance team communication by adapting and implementing a structured communication process, Situation-Background-Assessment-Recommendation, known as the SBAR tool, within an interprofessional rehabilitation team and evaluate its effectiveness.
The presentation describes the three phases of this study:
Phase 1: Adaptation of the SBAR communication tool to a rehabilitation setting for both urgent and non-urgent safety issues
Phase 2: Implementation of the adapted SBAR tool into an interprofessional rehabilitation team
Phase 3: Evaluation of the adapted SBAR tool related to staff perceptions of team communication and patient safety culture, patient satisfaction, and safety reporting.
The adapted SBAR tool has shown early promise in improving team communication and patient safety culture. Key learnings from each of these phases will be discussed, and recommendations presented.
This project has expanded the use of the SBAR tool beyond its acute care roots with its original purpose of structuring physician-nurse communications in high urgency situations, to be used in a myriad of healthcare situations with interprofessional team members in a rehabilitation context.
Toolkit: SBAR Implementation Training Toolkit
Presentation: PowerPoint slides
For more information regarding the project or to obtain a hard copy of the tookit, please contact Carol Fancott, Advanced Practice Leader, Patient Safety, by email: Fancott.carol@torontorehab.on.ca or by calling 416-597-3422 ext.3922
Special acknowledgement to our funding partner:
