Which document should a nurse use to ensure continuity of care during a change of shift report?

The SBAR (Situation, Background, Assessment, Recommendation) tool is specifically designed for communication in healthcare settings, particularly during transitions like change of shift reports. It provides a structured way for nurses to convey crucial information about a patient's condition, current status, and immediate needs to the incoming staff.

Using SBAR promotes clarity and conciseness in communication, ensuring that all relevant details are covered. It helps the outgoing nurse summarize the situation clearly and allows the incoming nurse to understand the patient's current state and the rationale for ongoing care quickly. This structured format contributes significantly to continuity of care and minimizes the risk of misunderstandings or missed information between shifts.

Referring to nursing care plans, patient medical histories, or daily progress notes can provide valuable information, but these documents do not have the same focused structure to facilitate immediate and effective handoff communication that is crucial during shift changes.