This course teaches you to use SBAR (Situation, Background, Assessment, Recommendation) for clear, structured handover and escalation. It shows how information is lost at handover, gives worked weak and strong examples for ward, emergency and community settings, and explains how to receive a handover safely using read-back.
What you will learn
- Explain why handover and escalation are high-risk moments for patient safety.
- Structure a handover or escalation call using the four parts of SBAR.
- Include objective data, such as a NEWS2 score and observations, and a clear recommendation with a timeframe.
- Receive a handover safely using questions, read-back and documentation.
- Identify the barriers that cause information loss at handover and apply strategies to reduce them.
Course content
- Why handover matters (2 min)
- The four parts of SBAR (3 min)
- Worked examples: weak and strong (3 min)
- Shift handover and receiving a handover (2 min)
- Barriers and how to overcome them (2 min)
- SBAR across settings and transitions of care (3 min)
- Putting it into practice (2 min)
- Knowledge check (10 questions, 10 min)
- Guided reflection (15 min)
Standards and guidance covered
- GMC: Good Medical Practice (2024), including the duties on working with colleagues and continuity of care
- NMC: The Code (2015, updated 2018), including 'Communicate clearly', 'Work cooperatively' and record keeping
- HCPC: Standards of conduct, performance and ethics (2024) and the standards of proficiency for each profession
- Royal College of Physicians: National Early Warning Score (NEWS) 2
- NICE guideline NG253: Suspected sepsis in people aged 16 or over: recognition, assessment and early management (which updated and replaced NG51 for this group)
Certificate
Courses are free to study. When you pass the knowledge check (80%) and complete your reflection, you can buy a verified certificate showing your CPD time, with a unique ID and QR code that anyone can check on our verification page.
Study free at your own pace on any device.
Related guides
The SPIKES Protocol for Breaking Bad News, With Example Conversations
The SPIKES protocol for breaking bad news explained step by step, with example conversations, useful phrases, common mistakes and what to do afterwards.
How to Handle Difficult Conversations With Patients and Families
How to handle difficult conversations with patients and families: calming anger, the NURSE approach, apologising, complaints, disagreement and safe boundaries.
SBAR Handover: Examples and Template for Nurses and Doctors
SBAR handover explained with a simple template and worked examples for nurses, doctors, physiotherapists, paramedics and community staff, plus read-back tips.
Practitioner Insight is an independent education provider. It is not affiliated with or endorsed by the GMC, MPTS, NMC, HCPC, GPhC or any NHS organisation, and this information is not legal advice. If you have been referred to a regulator, speak to your defence organisation, trade union or legal representative.