Standard SBAR Template
This universal SBAR template provides a simple, structured 4-step communication framework (Situation, Background, Assessment, Recommendation) for healthcare handoffs and doctor escalation calls. Access this sbar template free as an interactive online tool, a blank sbar template for print, or an editable document for your clinical team.
Available SBAR Formats
Choose the format that fits your clinical workflow or educational setting.
Interactive Online SBAR Form
Fill in your clinical report in the fields below. Load a clinical preset or type your custom notes. All data remains in local memory.
Header & Demographic Identification
SITUATION (What is happening right now?)
State the current concern, onset time, and brief problem statement.
BACKGROUND (Clinical Context & History)
Admitting diagnosis, relevant history, meds, allergies, recent procedures, labs, baseline.
ASSESSMENT (Findings & Clinical Interpretation)
Current vital signs, change from baseline, observed findings, clinical interpretation.
RECOMMENDATION (Requested Action & Timeframe)
What is needed, requested action, timeframe, and questions.
Optional Closed-Loop Order Read-BackThe Joint Commission Standard
No situation entered...
Printable SBAR Form (US Letter & A4)
This simple printable SBAR form is formatted to eliminate ink waste, fit standard hospital clipboards, and prevent awkward page breaks. Need dedicated browser PDF export? View our printable SBAR template PDF guide, download for Microsoft Word, or copy to Google Docs.
Standard SBAR Clinical Communication Worksheet
Inpatient / Bedside Nursing & Physician Notification
SITUATION (What is happening now?)
BACKGROUND (Clinical Context & History)
ASSESSMENT (Findings & Clinical Interpretation)
RECOMMENDATION (Requested Action & Timeframe)
Field-by-Field SBAR Clinical Reference Guide
What goes into each section of the SBAR clinical framework:
Situation: The Immediate Concern
Identify yourself, state the patient name and bed number, and deliver the immediate clinical reason for your call in the first 15 seconds.
- What is happening right now?
- When did the acute change begin?
- Concise 1-sentence problem statement
Background: Relevant Clinical Context
Provide the admission diagnosis and pertinent medical history. Omit non-contributory background to maintain focus.
- Admitting diagnosis and admission date
- Pertinent history, allergies, code status
- Recent procedures, active IV fluids, medications given
Assessment: Objective Findings & Interpretation
State current vital signs, observed physical exam findings, and your clinical assessment of what might be occurring.
- Current vital signs (BP, HR, RR, SpO2, Temp, Pain)
- Specific changes from the patient's baseline
- Clinical impression (e.g. sepsis, PE, bleed, opioid toxicity)
Recommendation: Explicit Request & Read-Back
State what specific action you need the provider to take, establish a timeframe, and perform closed-loop read-back.
- Specific orders (STAT labs, imaging, fluid bolus)
- Bedside evaluation timeframe (e.g. 15 minutes)
- Closed-loop verbal order read-back confirmation
Specialty-Specific SBAR Clinical Templates
Each clinical environment introduces unique priorities, diagnostic parameters, and urgency profiles. Explore customized templates with unit-specific fields and worked clinical scenarios:
Med-Surg SBAR
Floor nursing, post-op progression, telemetry rhythms, drains, and IV lines.
ICU Critical Care
Ventilator settings, vasoactive drips, invasive lines (A-line/CVC), and continuous sedation.
Emergency Dept
ESI triage acuity 1-5, EMS pre-hospital runsheets, code activations, and fast disposition.
Pediatric SBAR
Exact weight in kg, mg/kg dosing, Pediatric Assessment Triangle (PAT), and parent reports.
Mental Health SBAR
Involuntary 72-hr holds, C-SSRS suicide scores, MSE behavioral observations, and de-escalation.
Long-Term Care / SNF
INTERACT protocols, POLST code status, baseline ADLs, and treat-in-place decisions.
Home Health SBAR
In-home med reconciliation, wound measurements in cm, SDOH safety, and readmission prevention.
Maternity & L&D
NICHD FHR categories I/II/III, G/P, ROM time, cervical exams, and postpartum hemorrhage.
Standard SBAR Template FAQ
What is the standard SBAR template used for?
The standard SBAR template provides a 4-step structured communication framework (Situation, Background, Assessment, Recommendation) designed to standardize clinical handoffs, provider escalation calls, and multidisciplinary care transitions across hospital and outpatient settings.
How do I use the SBAR template during a clinical handoff?
State the immediate problem in Situation (15 seconds), provide relevant admitting diagnosis and history in Background, share current vitals and observations in Assessment, and state the specific requested order or action with a clear timeframe in Recommendation.
Is this standard SBAR template free to print and photocopy?
Yes. All printable SBAR worksheets and online templates on SBARTemplate.com are freely available for bedside nurses, hospital educators, residency programs, and clinical simulation courses.
What formats are available for the standard SBAR form?
You can use the browser-fillable online SBAR builder, print the clean US Letter/A4 worksheet directly from your browser (view PDF print guide), copy a Word-formatted table for Microsoft Word (view Word template), or copy the layout for Google Docs (view Google Docs template).
Need a Specialty SBAR Template?
Explore our nursing, student, shift handoff, and physician escalation templates—all free and printable.