Exploring interprofessional communication during nursing home emergencies using the SBAR framework

ABSTRACT

Communication breakdowns during emergencies threaten patient safety. In nursing homes (NHs) vulnerable residents may experience emergencies at any time. Concerns over clinical complexity and diverse communication styles among interprofessional practitioners heighten the need for standardized methods to improve practitioners’ communication skills. This study explores communication structures among 32 practitioners in four NHs using in-depth interviews following a formalized Situation-Background-Assessment-Recommendation (SBAR) framework. Network analysis, a deductive approach to qualitative data analysis, and case analysis were performed for a comprehensive understanding of interprofessional communication in 48 emergency cases identified during interviews. Findings identified the flow of information, messaging, and management strategies that were expected of receivers during interprofessional communication. These results could help develop training regimens or guidelines to improve cooperative interprofessional communication, allowing practitioners to provide appropriate emergency care for NH residents.

KEYWORDS:

• Nursing homes
• emergency management
• older adult
• interprofessional communication
• SBAR

Data availability statement

Data that support the findings of the study are not openly available because of the sensitive nature of the information (e.g., human information).

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

This project was supported by the Basic Science Research Program through the National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF), funded by the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology [NRF-2017R1A2B4007896, NRF-2019R1A2C1086122].

Notes on contributors

Young-Rim Choi

Young-Rim Choi, RN, received a Ph.D. in nursing science from Korea University. She is currently a research professor at the College of Nursing, Korea University. She is interested in nursing education and long-term care.

Sung Ok Chang

Sung Ok Chang, Ph.D., RN, is currently a professor at the College of Nursing, Korea University. In her Academic Activity, she served as President (2015-2016) and Editor in Chief (2005-2006) at the Korean Gerontological Nursing Society, and she also served as President (2012-2013) and has served as an Editorial Board member (2004-present) at the Korean Academy of Fundamentals of Nursing. She currently serves as a reviewer for more than five journals indexed SSCI, including Journals related to MDPI and 2 Scopus indexed journals.