Situation-Background-Assessment-Recommendation Technique Improves Nurse-Physician Communication and Patient Satisfaction in Cataract Surgeries

Yu Chen; Hung-Yi Chen; Gwo-Ping Jong

doi:10.4103/sjmms.sjmms_602_21

Situation-Background-Assessment-Recommendation Technique Improves Nurse-Physician Communication and Patient Satisfaction in Cataract Surgeries

Saudi J Med Med Sci. 2022 May-Aug;10(2):146-150. doi: 10.4103/sjmms.sjmms_602_21. Epub 2022 Apr 28.

Authors

Yu Chen¹, Hung-Yi Chen², Gwo-Ping Jong³

Affiliations

¹ Department of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Hospital Xiamen University, Xiamen, China.
² Department of Pharmacy, China Medical University and China Medical University Beigang Hospital, Yunlin County, Taiwan.
³ Department of Internal Medicine, Chung Shan Medical University Hospital and Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan.

Abstract

Background: Implementation of the Situation-Background-Assessment-Recommendation (SBAR) communication technique has been shown to increase nurse-physician communication and collaboration. However, data regarding its implementation in ophthalmology settings are limited.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the impact of implementing SBAR on nurse-physician communication and on the safety and satisfaction of patients undergoing cataract surgery.

Materials and methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in the Ophthalmology Department of Zhongshan Hospital, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China, from April 2016 to December 2018. SBAR was implemented through a 1-h course that was repeated every 2 months for 2 years. All nurses and physicians completed the Physician-Nurse Communication Satisfaction Questionnaire before SBAR implementation and 1- and 2-year post-implementation. In addition, all patients who underwent cataract surgery during the defined pre-implementation and 1- and 2-year post-implementation periods were invited to complete a patient satisfaction questionnaire.

Results: In total, 10 nurses and 6 physicians completed all three pre- and post-implementation surveys. In addition, 1215 patients undergoing cataract surgery participated: 358 in the pre-implementation phase, 425 in the 1-year post-implementation, and 432 in the 2-year post-implementation. Physician-nurse communication significantly improved in both 1- and 2-year post-implementation periods compared with the pre-implementation phase (P < 0.01). In addition, there was a significant increase in patient satisfaction scores (P < 0.01) and a decrease in medical complaints and malpractices (P < 0.01) between the pre- and post-implementation phases.

Conclusion: SBAR is a useful tool for enhancing nurse-physician communication and for improving the safety and satisfaction of patients undergoing cataract surgery.

Keywords: Cataract surgery; hospital communication systems; patient handoff; patient satisfaction; situation-background-assessment-recommendation.