a handbook for supervising allied health professionals - HETI - NSW ...

THE ISBAR framework for communicating
at handover
Introduction – Identify yourself,
role, location and who you are
I talking to.
Situation – state the patient’s
diagnosis/reason for admission
and the current problem.
S
Background – what is the
B
clinical background or context
Assessment – What do you
A
think the problem(s) is (Don’t
forget to have a key issues list
ready!)
Recommendation – What are
R
you asking the person to do
Clinical handover is the effective
transfer of professional responsibility
and accountability for a patient, or
group of patients, to another person.
(NSW Department of Health 2009a)
SECOND EDITION
ISBAR is the NSW Health accepted methodology for clinical handover. The process
of handover should occur as per the framework outlined below.
Further information is available in the NSW Health Policy Directive 2009_060:
“Clinical Handover – Standard Key Principles” (2009) and NSW Health Caring Together
“Implementation Toolkit – Standard Principles for Clinical Handover” (2009).
“I am (name and role), from (ward/facility) and I’m
calling because (clear purpose)”
“The situation is that I have a patient (age/gender), who
is (diagnosis/deteriorating/stable). My concerns are
(clear and succinct concerns). The current presenting
symptoms are (clear, current and relevant symptoms and
observations).”
By way of background (Give pertinent information which
may include: Date of admission / presenting symptoms/
medication / previous recent vital signs / test results/status
changes and any relevant medical and social history)
“My assessment on the basis of the above is that the
patient is….. they are at risk of ... and in need of ...”
“My recommendation is that this patient needs (what
test/action) by (who) within (timeframe).” Repeat to
confirm what you have heard, eg, “I understand that
I am to ... and you will …”
HETI
THE SUPERGUIDE
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