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Clinical SBAR Communication Examples

Study realistic clinical scenarios illustrating how bedside nurses, resident physicians, and multidisciplinary teams apply the SBAR framework to communicate acute changes quickly, concisely, and assertively.

Quick Jump:ICU Septic Shock & Vasopressor TitrationAcute Stroke Alert & Neurological DeficitPediatric Status Asthmaticus & Work of BreathingPost-Op Sepsis & Hemodynamic InstabilityAcute Psychiatric Agitation & Behavioral EscalationLong-Term Care Acute Functional Decline & SepsisHome Health Surgical Wound Infection & DehiscenceLabor & Delivery Category II Fetal Heart Rate TracingMed-Surg Shift-to-Shift Bedside HandoffBusiness & Project Examples →

Why Standardized SBAR Examples Matter in Clinical Practice

According to the Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI) and AHRQ TeamSTEPPS, unstructured handoffs contribute significantly to delayed interventions and communication failures. Reviewing worked SBAR examples helps healthcare professionals master:

15-Second SituationOpening immediately with the core problem rather than rambling through historical chart details.
Objective AssessmentPairing vital sign trends and physical exam observations with a clear clinical interpretation.
Assertive RecommendationStating an explicit requested action, dosage, or bedside arrival timeframe to close the communication loop.
Critical Care / ICU
ICU Critical Care SBAR Template →Open This Scenario in Builder →
Clinical FrameworkSTAT / Emergent

ICU Septic Shock & Vasopressor Titration

Clinical Scenario • Critical Care / ICU

Patient: James T. (54yo M)
Bed/Room: ICU Bed 4
Attending: Dr. Patel (Intensivist)
S

Situation

Immediate clinical concern & reason for calling right now

This is Nurse Amanda in Bed 4 of the Medical ICU calling Dr. Patel. Patient James Thornton is developing refractory septic shock with mean arterial pressure dropping to 54 mmHg despite maximum Norepinephrine infusion at 0.25 mcg/kg/min.
B

Background

Relevant clinical history, admitting diagnosis, medications & baseline

54-year-old male with severe necrotizing pancreatitis intubated on Day 4. Access: Right internal jugular triple-lumen CVC and left radial arterial line. Currently on Norepinephrine at 0.25 mcg/kg/min and receiving IV Meropenem. Full Code.
A

Assessment

Current vital signs, objective physical findings & clinical interpretation

Invasive arterial line BP: 76/44 (MAP 54 mmHg), HR 128 sinus tachycardia, CVP 6 mmHg. Arterial blood gas drawn 15 minutes ago reveals pH 7.22, pCO2 36, pO2 88 on 60% FiO2, with repeat serum lactate rising from 2.4 to 4.8 mmol/L. Urine output is 10 mL over the past hour.
R

Recommendation / Request

Specific clinical action needed, timeframe & read-back confirmation

I recommend initiating secondary vasopressor support with Vasopressin at 0.03 units/min fixed dose, placing a repeat cardiac output / bedside echocardiogram order, and considering IV hydrocortisone 50 mg Q6H for refractory septic shock.
Need unit-specific parameters, checklists, and documentation guidelines for this setting?View ICU Critical Care SBAR Template
Emergency Department
Emergency Department SBAR Template →Open This Scenario in Builder →
Clinical FrameworkSTAT / Emergent

Acute Stroke Alert & Neurological Deficit

Clinical Scenario • Emergency Department

Patient: H.R. (72yo M)
Bed/Room: ED Trauma Bay 2
Attending: Dr. Hayes (Emergency Medicine / Stroke)
S

Situation

Immediate clinical concern & reason for calling right now

This is Nurse Kelly in ED Trauma Bay 2 calling Dr. Hayes. Patient H.R. (72yo M) arrived via EMS with sudden onset right-sided facial droop, expressive aphasia, and dense right hemiplegia starting 25 minutes ago.
B

Background

Relevant clinical history, admitting diagnosis, medications & baseline

72-year-old male with atrial fibrillation (on Apixaban 5mg BID, last dose 08:00 today) and hypertension. Last known well was confirmed by spouse at 14:15. Point-of-care blood glucose on arrival is 118 mg/dL.
A

Assessment

Current vital signs, objective physical findings & clinical interpretation

Current Vitals: BP 184/102, HR 88 irregularly irregular, RR 18, SpO2 98% room air. Neurologic Exam: NIHSS calculated at 14 (severe expressive aphasia, right facial palsy, 0/5 right arm and leg strength, right visual field deficit). Pupils 3mm equal and reactive.
R

Recommendation / Request

Specific clinical action needed, timeframe & read-back confirmation

I recommend activating the hospital Acute Code Stroke team, transporting immediately to CT for STAT non-contrast head CT and CT angiogram, and drawing STAT coagulation panel (PT/INR, PTT, anti-Xa).
Need unit-specific parameters, checklists, and documentation guidelines for this setting?View Emergency Department SBAR Template
Pediatrics
Pediatric SBAR Template →Open This Scenario in Builder →
Clinical FrameworkSTAT / Emergent

Pediatric Status Asthmaticus & Work of Breathing

Clinical Scenario • Pediatrics

Patient: Liam K. (8yo M)
Bed/Room: Room 206
Attending: Dr. Gomez (Pediatric Hospitalist)
S

Situation

Immediate clinical concern & reason for calling right now

This is Nurse Emma on Pediatrics calling Dr. Gomez regarding 8-year-old Liam in Room 206. Liam is in marked respiratory distress with prominent subcostal retractions and audible expiratory wheezes following his second nebulizer treatment.
B

Background

Relevant clinical history, admitting diagnosis, medications & baseline

8-year-old male with moderate persistent asthma admitted 2 hours ago. Weight is 28 kg. Received Albuterol 2.5mg + Ipratropium 0.5mg nebulizers x2 in ED and oral Dexamethasone 0.6 mg/kg. No known drug allergies.
A

Assessment

Current vital signs, objective physical findings & clinical interpretation

Vitals: RR 40/min, HR 142 bpm, SpO2 90% on room air, Temp 37.8°C. Physical Exam: Suprasternal and subcostal retractions, nasal flaring, and diminished breath sounds at bilateral bases with tight expiratory wheezing throughout. Child is irritable and speaks only in single words.
R

Recommendation / Request

Specific clinical action needed, timeframe & read-back confirmation

I recommend an immediate bedside evaluation. I request orders for continuous Albuterol nebulization (10 mg/hr), starting humidified oxygen via nasal cannula at 2 L/min, and preparing IV Magnesium Sulfate 50 mg/kg (1.4 g) infusion over 20 minutes.
Need unit-specific parameters, checklists, and documentation guidelines for this setting?View Pediatric SBAR Template
Medical-Surgical
Med-Surg SBAR Template →Open This Scenario in Builder →
Clinical FrameworkSTAT / Emergent

Post-Op Sepsis & Hemodynamic Instability

Clinical Scenario • Medical-Surgical

Patient: M.T. (65yo F)
Bed/Room: Room 408
Attending: Dr. Vance (General Surgery)
S

Situation

Immediate clinical concern & reason for calling right now

This is Nurse Brian calling Dr. Vance about Patient M.T. in Room 408. The patient is acutely hypotensive (BP 82/46), febrile at 39.1°C, and tachycardic (HR 124) over the last 30 minutes.
B

Background

Relevant clinical history, admitting diagnosis, medications & baseline

65-year-old female post-op day 3 following bowel resection for diverticular abscess. PMH: Hypertension, Osteoarthritis. Foley catheter removed this morning; patient has produced only 15 mL of cloudy, foul-smelling urine over the last 3 hours.
A

Assessment

Current vital signs, objective physical findings & clinical interpretation

Vitals: BP 82/46 (MAP 58), HR 124 sinus tachycardia, RR 24, Temp 39.1°C (102.4°F), SpO2 94% on room air. Patient is drowsy, pale, and diaphoretic with warm extremities. Capillary refill is 4 seconds. Lactic acid level drawn 20 minutes ago just resulted elevated at 3.8 mmol/L.
R

Recommendation / Request

Specific clinical action needed, timeframe & read-back confirmation

I recommend you evaluate this patient at bedside immediately. I request orders for a 30 mL/kg IV crystalloid fluid bolus, blood cultures x2, repeat STAT lactic acid in 2 hours, and starting broad-spectrum IV Piperacillin-Tazobactam.
Need unit-specific parameters, checklists, and documentation guidelines for this setting?View Med-Surg SBAR Template
Mental Health & Psychiatry
Mental Health SBAR Template →Open This Scenario in Builder →
Clinical FrameworkUrgent

Acute Psychiatric Agitation & Behavioral Escalation

Clinical Scenario • Mental Health & Psychiatry

Patient: Derek T. (34yo M)
Bed/Room: Room 214
Attending: Dr. Albright (Psychiatry)
S

Situation

Immediate clinical concern & reason for calling right now

This is Nurse Marcus on Behavioral Health 2-East calling Dr. Albright. Patient Derek Taylor is pacing aggressively, clenching fists, and verbally threatening staff after being informed of discharge delay. Verbal de-escalation techniques have been unsuccessful over the last 20 minutes.
B

Background

Relevant clinical history, admitting diagnosis, medications & baseline

34-year-old male admitted 48 hours ago for Bipolar I Disorder (manic episode with psychotic features). Voluntary admission status. No history of physical violence during this admission. Allergies: Haloperidol (severe extrapyramidal reaction / dystonia).
A

Assessment

Current vital signs, objective physical findings & clinical interpretation

Current Vitals: BP 146/90, HR 112 bpm, RR 20. MSE: Agitated, hyperverbal, labile affect with paranoid ideation. BVC (Broset Violence Checklist) score is 4 (high acute violence risk). Patient refuses oral medications or quiet room time.
R

Recommendation / Request

Specific clinical action needed, timeframe & read-back confirmation

I recommend an urgent in-person psychiatric assessment, an order for PRN intramuscular Olanzapine 10 mg IM plus Lorazepam 2 mg IM for acute severe agitation, and authorization for 1:1 safety observation.
Need unit-specific parameters, checklists, and documentation guidelines for this setting?View Mental Health SBAR Template
Long-Term Care / SNF
Long-Term Care SBAR Template →Open This Scenario in Builder →
Clinical FrameworkUrgent

Long-Term Care Acute Functional Decline & Sepsis

Clinical Scenario • Long-Term Care / SNF

Patient: Harold F. (83yo M)
Bed/Room: Room 112
Attending: Dr. Miller (Medical Director)
S

Situation

Immediate clinical concern & reason for calling right now

This is Nurse Helen at Oakridge Care Center calling Dr. Miller regarding Resident Harold Finch in Room 112. Mr. Finch has developed acute lethargy, a new fever of 38.6°C, and refusal of morning oral intake, representing an acute change from his baseline.
B

Background

Relevant clinical history, admitting diagnosis, medications & baseline

83-year-old male with vascular dementia, stage 3 chronic kidney disease, and recurrent UTIs. POLST: DNR / Limited Additional Interventions (transfer to hospital permitted if comfort cannot be maintained). Baseline: Ambulates with walker, alert to person and place.
A

Assessment

Current vital signs, objective physical findings & clinical interpretation

Vitals: Temp 38.6°C (101.5°F), BP 98/60 (baseline 130/80), HR 96, RR 20, SpO2 94% on room air. Assessment: Resident is somnolent, oriented only to name. Suprapubic tenderness noted on palpation. Urine dipstick in facility shows positive nitrites, large leukocyte esterase, and gross cloudiness.
R

Recommendation / Request

Specific clinical action needed, timeframe & read-back confirmation

I recommend ordering a clean-catch urine culture, starting oral Cephalexin 500mg Q12H (or IM Ceftriaxone 1g if unable to swallow pills), encouraging oral electrolyte fluids, and establishing parameters for emergency hospital transfer if BP drops below 90 systolic.
Need unit-specific parameters, checklists, and documentation guidelines for this setting?View Long-Term Care SBAR Template
Home Health
Home Health SBAR Template →Open This Scenario in Builder →
Clinical FrameworkUrgent

Home Health Surgical Wound Infection & Dehiscence

Clinical Scenario • Home Health

Patient: Evelyn D. (75yo F)
Bed/Room: Home Visit #4
Attending: Dr. Ross (Orthopedic Surgery)
S

Situation

Immediate clinical concern & reason for calling right now

This is Visiting Nurse Karen calling Dr. Ross regarding Home Health Patient Evelyn Davis (DOB: 04/12/1951). During today's scheduled home visit, I identified 3 cm of surgical wound dehiscence with purulent malodorous drainage and spreading periwound erythema on her right total knee incision.
B

Background

Relevant clinical history, admitting diagnosis, medications & baseline

75-year-old female post-op day 11 following right total knee arthroplasty. PMH: Type 2 Diabetes (HbA1c 8.4%), Peripheral Neuropathy. Living alone with daily caregiver support. No known drug allergies.
A

Assessment

Current vital signs, objective physical findings & clinical interpretation

Vitals in home: BP 138/84, HR 88, Temp 38.1°C (100.6°F oral), SpO2 97%. Wound Assessment: Lower third of surgical incision has separated 3 cm in length and 1.2 cm in depth. Copious thick yellow drainage. Surrounding erythema extends 4 cm circumferentially, warm and tender to touch. Fasting glucose is 214 mg/dL.
R

Recommendation / Request

Specific clinical action needed, timeframe & read-back confirmation

I recommend scheduling an urgent same-day orthopedic clinic evaluation or ED referral for surgical wound exploration. In the interim, I request orders to obtain a wound culture, pack the open area with moist sterile saline gauze, and initiate oral antibiotics.
Need unit-specific parameters, checklists, and documentation guidelines for this setting?View Home Health SBAR Template
Maternity & L&D
Maternity SBAR Template →Open This Scenario in Builder →
Clinical FrameworkSTAT / Emergent

Labor & Delivery Category II Fetal Heart Rate Tracing

Clinical Scenario • Maternity & L&D

Patient: Maria S. (28yo F, G1P0)
Bed/Room: L&D Suite 3
Attending: Dr. Sterling (Obstetrics)
S

Situation

Immediate clinical concern & reason for calling right now

This is Nurse Chloe in L&D Room 3 calling Dr. Sterling. Patient Maria Santos is in active labor and has developed repetitive Category II fetal heart rate decelerations with minimal baseline variability over the last 15 minutes.
B

Background

Relevant clinical history, admitting diagnosis, medications & baseline

28-year-old G1P0 at 39 weeks 2 days gestation admitted at 06:00 for spontaneous labor. Cervix was 6 cm / 90% / -1 at 14:00 exam. Pitocin infusion running at 8 mU/min. Epidural in place with adequate analgesia. Membrane rupture occurred 2 hours ago with clear amniotic fluid.
A

Assessment

Current vital signs, objective physical findings & clinical interpretation

Maternal Vitals: BP 114/68, HR 82, RR 18, Temp 37.0°C. Fetal Monitoring: Baseline FHR 145 bpm with minimal variability (<5 bpm) and recurrent variable decelerations dropping to 90 bpm lasting 45-60 seconds following 4 consecutive contractions. Intrauterine resuscitation initiated: Pitocin stopped, repositioned to left lateral, 500 mL IV fluid bolus running, and O2 at 10 L/min via non-rebreather mask.
R

Recommendation / Request

Specific clinical action needed, timeframe & read-back confirmation

I recommend an immediate bedside evaluation by the obstetrician. I request an order to perform a sterile vaginal exam to evaluate for umbilical cord prolapse or rapid cervical progression, and prepare for possible vacuum assistance or Cesarean delivery if Category II tracing fails to recover.
Need unit-specific parameters, checklists, and documentation guidelines for this setting?View Maternity SBAR Template
Nursing Shift Handoff
SBAR Shift Handoff Template →Open This Scenario in Builder →
Clinical FrameworkRoutine

Med-Surg Shift-to-Shift Bedside Handoff

Clinical Scenario • Nursing Shift Handoff

Patient: Clara S. (58yo F)
Bed/Room: Room 302-A
Attending: Dr. Reynolds
S

Situation

Immediate clinical concern & reason for calling right now

This is the 19:00 shift handoff for Clara Simmons in Bed 302-A, a 58-year-old female admitted yesterday with right lower lobe bacterial pneumonia.
B

Background

Relevant clinical history, admitting diagnosis, medications & baseline

PMH: Mild Asthma and GERD. Current Meds: IV Ceftriaxone 1g daily (due at 21:00) and PO Azithromycin 500mg daily. Access: 20G peripheral IV in right forearm, placed yesterday, patent with NS TKVO. Full Code. No known allergies.
A

Assessment

Current vital signs, objective physical findings & clinical interpretation

Patient is alert and oriented x4. Breathing is easier than this morning. Vitals: BP 122/76, HR 76, RR 18, SpO2 96% on 2L nasal cannula (weaned from 4L). Coarse crackles at right base, clear on left. Output: Adequate urine output (550 mL over shift), voiding independently. Ate 80% of dinner.
R

Recommendation / Request

Specific clinical action needed, timeframe & read-back confirmation

1. Give scheduled IV Ceftriaxone at 21:00. 2. Morning lab draw for CBC and BMP scheduled for 05:00. 3. Continue respiratory therapy incentive spirometry Q2H while awake. Goal for tomorrow is trial room air if saturations stay above 94%.
Need unit-specific parameters, checklists, and documentation guidelines for this setting?View SBAR Shift Handoff Template
Non-Clinical Application

SBAR Examples in Business, Leadership & Project Management

While developed in healthcare and high-reliability operations, SBAR is increasingly utilized by corporate executives, engineering teams, and project managers to streamline decision-making and eliminate meeting waste.

Business Scenario 1: Critical Software Release Delay & Vendor Dependency

Executive Briefing
[S] SITUATION

"I am briefing you on Q3 Product Launch (Project Titan). Our external payment gateway vendor encountered an unexpected API deprecation, putting our October 15 launch date at risk."

[B] BACKGROUND

"We completed all internal sprint milestones on schedule. The vendor notified us yesterday that their updated SDK is delayed by 10 business days. Total engineering budget spent is 72%."

[A] ASSESSMENT

"If we wait for the vendor SDK, we will miss our public marketing commitment by 2 weeks. Alternatively, our internal platform team can build a direct REST integration within 5 days using overtime."

[R] RECOMMENDATION

"I recommend approving $8,500 in contractor surge budget to build the direct REST adapter immediately, allowing us to maintain the October 15 launch target. We need approval by 17:00 today."

Business Scenario 2: Emergency Cloud Infrastructure Scaling Request

Operations
[S] SITUATION

"Customer support volume has increased 300% over the last 4 hours following our viral marketing campaign, causing server CPU utilization to sustain at 94%."

[B] BACKGROUND

"Current cluster is capped at 12 nodes based on Q2 baseline budget limits. We have sustained 45,000 concurrent active users since 08:00 this morning."

[A] ASSESSMENT

"Without auto-scaling expansion, we risk partial API timeouts and checkout failures for approximately 15% of prospective customers during peak hours."

[R] RECOMMENDATION

"I recommend raising the auto-scaling ceiling to 30 nodes for the next 72 hours, with an estimated cloud cost impact of $1,200. Please approve the configuration change in the admin console."

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SBAR Clinical Examples FAQ

What makes an effective clinical SBAR example?

An effective clinical SBAR report opens with an immediate 15-second situation statement, summarizes only pertinent clinical background, provides objective vitals with clinical interpretation in assessment, and delivers an unambiguous, actionable recommendation with a clear timeframe.

How is SBAR used outside healthcare in business and management?

In business and corporate project management, SBAR is used for executive briefings, crisis escalation, and budget requests by defining the current challenge (Situation), context and milestones (Background), risk analysis (Assessment), and required executive decision or resource allocation (Recommendation).