Template: ISBAR — structured handover at shift change
Identification, situation, background, analysis and advice
Poor communication during handover is one of the most common causes of errors in the health service. ISBAR is the Danish version of an international communication model which the Danish Society for Patient Safety has promoted for use during shift changes, sector transitions, and other handovers.
§How to coach someone back to work
- 01Identification – who are you, and who are you talking about?
- 02Situation – what is the problem or current status briefly and concretely?
- 03Background – Relevant Background: Diagnoses, Agreements, What Care Has Involved.
- 04Analysis – your professional assessment: what do you think will happen?
- 05Advice/recommendation – what do you suggest should happen now, or what do you need from the recipient?
§Example in practice.
'Identification: This is [name], health and social care assistant on ward X, and I am calling about [citizen's name]. Situation: The citizen has deteriorated over the last two hours and appears drowsy. Background: The citizen has a history of heart failure and does not normally present with this level of drowsiness. Analysis: I am concerned this may be related to fluid retention. Recommendation: I would like an assessment now.'
§By written handover
- 01Write the same as you would say verbally following the ISBAR structure.
- 02Avoid abbreviations that only you understand.
- 03Note the time of observation and notification.