Tools and Critical Interventions: Patient Engagement

This VNAA Best Practice includes the following critical interventions and actions:

    • Health Literacy
        • Provide patient with appropriate materials based on level of education. Fourth grade level is recommended for basic understanding.
    • Communication with patients and family
        • Use teach-back technique in practice.
        • Use appropriate, consistent teaching materials (collaborate with partners) (use of zone tools to measure patient's understanding of their care).
    • Motivational Interviewing


The tools linked below were evaluated by the VNAA Best Practices Work Group and are offered for duplication and use. All are used with permission from the authors and/or organizations that originated the material. Please retain all logos and citations where authors/originators are listed on these resources.


For questions or comments about these resources, contact us.

Tools and Critical Interventions

Plain Language Thesaurus.pdf [Guide]
Stanford Self-Efficacy Tool.pdf [Questionnaire]
Health Literacy Precautions.pdf [Toolkit]
SBAR Physician Communication.pdf [Worksheet]
Attributes of Health Literate Organizations .pdf [Guide]
HHQI Personal Health Record.pdf [Toolkit]
Personal Health Record - SCIC.pdf [Toolkit]
Importance and Confidence Ruler.pdf [Questionnaire]
Newest Vital Sign Implementation.pdf [Guide]

Zone Tools

Congestive Heart Failure Zones for Management.pdf [Checklist]
Depression Tool.pdf [Checklist]
Diabetes Tool (HHO).pdf [Checklist]
Diabetes Tool (HomePlus).pdf [Checklist]
Foley Catheter Tool (HomePlus).pdf [Checklist]
Self-Management Plan for CHF (HomePlus).pdf [Checklist]
Self-Management for COPD (HomePlus).pdf [Checklist]
Self-Management for COPD-HHO.pdf [Checklist]
Self-Management for Heart Disease (HomePlus).pdf [Checklist]
Self-Management for High Blood Pressure (HomePlus).pdf [Checklist]
Self-Management for Respiratory Disease (HomePlus).pdf [Checklist]
Self-Management for Wounds.pdf [Checklist]

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