Guide
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ISBAR best practice
ISBAR is a simple structure that improves consistency under time pressure. The goal is not longer handovers. The goal is fewer omissions, clearer ownership, and fewer ambiguous plans.
Identify
- Patient identifiers appropriate for your workflow.
- Current location, service, and responsible team.
- Who is giving and receiving the handover.
Situation
- Why they are here, and what changed in the last shift.
- Current stability and immediate concerns.
Background
- Key diagnoses and relevant comorbidities.
- Allergies, recent procedures, and major investigation results.
Assessment
- Your working impression and what you are worried about.
- What you think is most likely to deteriorate overnight.
Recommendation
- Concrete actions, owners, and time bounds.
- Clear escalation criteria, and who to call.
FAQ
What does ISBAR stand for?
Identify, Situation, Background, Assessment, Recommendation.
How long should an ISBAR handover take?
Typically 30 to 90 seconds for stable patients, longer for complex or deteriorating cases. Prioritise clarity over speed.
What is the most common failure mode?
Missing the recommendation or leaving ownership unclear. Always state actions, owners, and escalation criteria.
What should be explicit in the recommendation?
Tasks, owners, time bounds, and what triggers escalation, including who to call.