Toolkit for Better Staff Communication to Improve Patient Care - Clinical Huddle & SBAR Guide

Sep 13, 2026

Toolkit to strengthen communication among clinical staff to improve patient/resident care. Focuses on structured, timely information sharing between CNAs, nurses, and providers, using practical approaches such as shift huddles, standardized question prompts, and end-of-shift reporting tools. Includes guidance on when to huddle, who should participate, how long huddles should last, and what topics to cover to ensure consistent messaging, better teamwork, and closed-loop follow-up for safety and quality.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryPresentations

FormatPDF

Pages7

Reading Time3 min

AccessFree to download

WHO IS THIS TOOLKIT FOR?

WHAT IS ITS PURPOSE?

WHAT IS IN THE TOOLKIT?

Nursing Home Huddle Tip Sheet

What is it?

Why Huddle?

Who Participates?

When to Huddle?

How long are Huddles?

What is included in a Huddle?

Huddle Questions May Include:

What are the Keys to Success?

Toolkit for Better Staff Communication to Improve Patient Care Quality Innovation Network Quality Improvement Organizations CENTERS FOR MEDICARE & MEDICAID SERVICES iQUALITY IMPROVEMENT & INNOVATION GROUP This material was prepared by Alliant Health Solutions, a Quality Innovation Network – Quality Improvement Organization (QIN – QIO) under contract with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), an agency of the U. S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) . Views expressed in this material do not necessarily the official views or policy of CMS or HHS, and any reference to a specific product or entity herein does not constitute endorsement of that product or entity by CMS or HHS. Publication No. 12SOW-AHS-QIN-QIO-TO1-NH-TO1-PCH-4905-11/30/23 WHO IS THIS TOOLKIT FOR? This toolkit is for all clinical staff members from the CNA to all your nursing staff. WHAT IS ITS PURPOSE? This toolkit is to improve communication on vital patient/resident information between staff and providers to improve care. WHAT IS IN THE TOOLKIT? • Huddle Tip Sheet – learn how to design quick meetings to share important information. • SBAR For Change in Condition – this shortened SBAR tool lets you communicate quickly on any change in condition. • CNA End of Shift Report – mechanism for your CNAs to document important changes to the next shift. • Nurse to Nurse End of Shift Report – document care changes and track pending results for accurate follow-up so nothing gets lost. 2 Nursing Home Huddle Tip Sheet What is it? • A Huddle is a quick meeting designed to share important information. • Huddles can be a positive mutual exchange of information needed to care for each resident. • Start and End of Shift Huddles provide a consistent way to share information about each resident. • Huddles can be done as a stand-up meeting or as room to room walking rounds and can • include the charge nurse and CNAs together checking on each resident. Why Huddle? • A shift huddle reinforces teamwork and allows staff to hear about every resident so they can provide support to residents not on their assignment. • Communication of essential information cannot be left to chance. When it is shared in a group, everyone hears EXACTLY the same information and can share what they know. • Huddles provide opportunities for critical thinking and problem-solving together to ensure the best care for each resident. Who Participates? • Shift Huddles include nurses and CNAs working together by unit and shift. • CNA’s can share information for each resident on their assignment. • It is helpful to have other disciplines join in to listen and share information that can help the team caring for residents. Other staff may add relevant information about that resident. • It is good to also include housekeeping, social work, activities, and therapy or to huddle again quickly later in the shift when others can participate. When to Huddle? • Shift huddles should occur at the beginning and at the end of the shift. • If there is a paid shift overlap, it can be done with staff from both shifts. • Huddles can also occur at other times as needed, such as before staff go on break, when a new resident arrives, when an issue arises that needs the team to come together, or when other departments can participate in a short discussion. How long are Huddles? • Start and end of shift huddles should take no more than 15 minutes. • In-the-moment huddles can often complete business in less than 5 minutes but may take longer. What is included in a Huddle? Standing Agenda Items may include: • Resident by resident report by exception, focused on risks and opportunities, including quality of life and quality of care, using MDS areas of functional status, mood and customary routines as a guide. INTERACTII Stop and Watch is an excellent tool to focus the end of shift exchange. • Residents due for their MDS (in their Asses

FAQs

Who is this toolkit designed for?

It is for all clinical staff members from CNAs to your nursing staff.

What is the primary purpose of the toolkit?

It improves communication about vital patient/resident information between staff and providers to improve care.

What should be included in a shift huddle?

Include standing agenda items such as reports by exception, residents due for MDS, census changes, reportable events, follow-up on issues, ongoing clinical priorities, and huddle questions like falls, vital sign changes, and mental status changes.

Sep 13, 2026

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