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SBAR Report Script
The exact words to say when you call the surgeon, the intensivist, or hand off to the floor. Fill in the blanks, sound like a veteran.
Free · print it · share it · no gatekeeping
S — Situation (10 seconds)
- Opener
- "This is [name], RN in PACU. I'm calling about [patient], bed [#], your [procedure] from today."
- The problem
- "The problem is [one sentence: BP 78/40, sats 86%, uncontrolled pain]."
- Urgency
- State it plainly: "I need you at the bedside" vs "I need an order."
B — Background (20 seconds)
- Procedure
- What was done, anesthesia type, time out of OR
- History
- Only what matters: OSA, CAD, COPD, DM, anticoagulation
- Intra-op
- EBL, fluids, pressors, airway difficulty, last dose of anything
A — Assessment
- Current vitals
- BP / HR / RR / SpO2 / temp / pain / LOC
- Trend
- "BP has dropped from 120s to 78 over 20 minutes." Trend beats a number.
- Your read
- "I think this is hypovolemia" — say what you think. You're allowed.
R — Recommendation
- Ask specifically
- "I'd like a 500 mL bolus and for you to come see her."
- Set a timeframe
- "Can you be here in 10 minutes?"
- Read back
- Repeat every order back verbatim, then document it.
Baddie pearls 👑
- ✦Write your numbers down BEFORE you dial. Fumbling for vitals kills your credibility.
- ✦If you can't get a call back and the patient is deteriorating, escalate up the chain — that's the policy, not an insult.
- ✦"I am uncomfortable with this patient" is a complete sentence and a documented concern.
Educational reference only. Always follow your facility's current policies, protocols, and provider orders.
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