One quality initiative that has been rolled out in my workplace is replacing verbal nurse to nurse report with electronic SBAR report from admitted Emergency Department patients to some of the inpatient units. This initiative excludes the critical care or neurological units. The SBAR format of report consists of situation, background, assessment, and recommendation. This written communication tool is said to “help provide essential, concise information, usually during crucial situations. In some cases, SBAR can even replace an executive summary in a formal report because it provides focused and concise information” (SBAR | ASQ, n.d.). Barriers to this quality initiative have been the lack of acceptance from staff. Nurses receiving report prefer a verbal SBAR handoff so that they may ask questions for clarification and prepare for the patient’s arrival. The downfall of verbal report is that many times the nurse is not available to take report, and this delays care and patient transfer. This causes a backup in the Emergency Department to turn the exam room and begin caring for a new patient. Staff acceptance to change is common barrier. Other barriers to change include inadequate knowledge, skills, support of belief of change, lack of leadership or mentors, cultural or organizational influences, and budget restrictions (Melnyk & Fineout-Overholt, 2018).
SBAR | ASQ. (n.d.). Asq.org. https://asq.org/quality-resources/sbar
Melnyk, B. M., & Fineout-Overholt, E. (2018). Evidence-Based practice in nursing and healthcare (4th ed.). Wolters Kluwer Health.
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