How is SBAR used in handoffs?

• A. Situation, Background, Actions, Results
• B. Situation, Background, Assessment, Recommendation
• C. Summary, Background, Analysis, Report
• D. Situation, Baseline, Assessment, Referral

Answer: (B)

Structured, standardized communication during patient handoffs uses SBAR: Situation, Background, Assessment, Recommendation. It starts with the Situation—a concise statement of what is happening now with the patient. Background provides relevant history and context that relate to the current issue. Assessment is the clinician’s synthesis: what you think is happening, including vital signs, trends, and potential problems. Recommendation is the plan—what needs to be done next, what actions are requested, and who should carry them out, with any urgency or timing.

This format is best because it ensures critical information is conveyed succinctly in a consistent order, reducing miscommunication and clarifying the next steps. Other term choices often misalign with the standard handoff flow, because they don’t emphasize the explicit next steps and accountability that the Recommendation component provides.