Bag Technique

Definition
Bag technique – a tool making use of public health bag through which the nurse, during his/her
home visit, can perform nursing procedures with ease and deftness, saving time and effort with
the end in view of rendering effective nursing care.
Public health bag - is an essential and indispensable equipment of the public health nurse which
he/she has to carry along when he/she goes out home visiting. It contains basic medications and
articles which are necessary for giving care.
Rationale
To render effective nursing care to clients and /or members of the family during home visit.
Principles
1. The use of the bag technique should minimize if not totally prevent the spread of
infection from individuals to families, hence, to the community.
2. Bag technique should save time and effort on the part of the nurse in the performance of
nursing procedures.
3. Bag technique should not overshadow concern for the patient rather should show the
effectiveness of total care given to an individual or family.
4. Bag technique can be performed in a variety of ways depending upon agency policies,
actual home situation, etc., as long as principles of avoiding transfer of infection is
carried out.
Special Considerations in the Use of the Bag
1. The bag should contain all necessary articles, supplies and equipment which may be
used to answer emergency needs.
2. The bag and it’s contents should be cleaned as often as possible, supplies replaced and
ready for use at any time.
3. The bag and it’s contents should be well protected from contact with any article in the
home of the patients. Consider the bag and it’s contents clean and /or sterile while any
article belonging to the patient as dirty and contaminated.
4. The arrangement of the contents of the bag should be the one most convenient to the
user to facilitate the efficiency and avoid confusion.
5. Hand washing is done as frequently as the situation calls for, helps in minimizing or
avoiding contamination of the bag and its contents.
6. The bag when used for a communicable case should be thoroughly cleaned and
disinfected before keeping and re-using.
Contents of the Bag
 Paper lining
 Extra paper for making bag for waste materials (paper bag)
 Plastic linen/lining
 Apron
 Hand towel in plastic bag
 Soap in soap dish
 Thermometers in case [one oral and rectal]
 2 pairs of scissors [1 surgical and 1 bandage]
 2 pairs of forceps [ curved and straight]
 Syringes [5 ml and 2 ml]
 Hypodermic needles g. 19, 22, 23, 25
 Sterile dressings [OS, C.B]
 Sterile Cord Tie
 Adhesive Plaster
 Dressing [OS, cotton ball]
 Alcohol lamp
 Tape Measure
 Baby’s scale
 1 pair of rubber gloves
 2 test tubes
 Test tube holder
 Medicines
o betadine
o 70% alcohol
o ophthalmic ointment (antibiotic)
o zephiran solution
o hydrogen peroxide
o spirit of ammonia
o acetic acid
o benedict’s solution
Note: Blood Pressure Apparatus and Stethoscope are carried separately.
Steps/Procedures
Actions Rationale
1. Upon arriving at the client’s home, place the bag on To protect the bag from
the table or any flat surface lined with paper lining, contamination.
clean side out (folded part touching the table). Put the
bag’s handles or strap beneath the bag.
2. Ask for a basin of water and a glass of water if faucet To be used for handwashing.
is not available. Place these outside the work area. To protect the work field from being
wet.
3. Open the bag, take the linen/plastic lining and spread To make a non-contaminated work
over work field or area. The paper lining, clean side out field or area.
(folded part out).
4. Take out hand towel, soap dish and apron and the To prepare for handwashing.
place them at one corner of the work area (within the
confines of the linen/plastic lining).
5. Do handwashing. Wipe, dry with towel. Leave the Handwashing prevents possible
plastic wrappers of the towel in a soap dish in the bag. infection from one care provider to the
client.
6. Put on apron right side out and wrong side with To protect the nurses’ uniform.
crease touching the body, sliding the head into the Keeping the crease creates aesthetic
neck strap. Neatly tie the straps at the back. appearance.
7. Put out things most needed for the specific case To make them readily accessible.
(e.g.) thermometer, kidney basin, cotton ball, waste
paper bag) and place at one corner of the work area.
8. Place waste paper bag outside of work area. To prevent contamination of clean
area.
9. Close the bag. To give comfort and security, maintain
personal hygiene and hasten recovery.
10. Proceed to the specific nursing care or treatment. To prevent contamination of bag and
contents.
11. After completing nursing care or treatment, clean To protect caregiver and prevent
and alcoholize the things used. spread of infection to others.
12. Do handwashing again.
13. Open the bag and put back all articles in their
proper places.
14. Remove apron folding away from the body, with
soiled sidefolded inwards, and the clean side out. Place
it in the bag.
15. Fold the linen/plastic lining, clean; place it in the
bag and close the bag.
16. Make post-visit conference on matters relevant to To be used as reference for future
health care, taking anecdotal notes preparatory to final visit.
reporting.
17. Make appointment for the next visit ( either home For follow-up care.
or clinic), taking note of the date, time and purpose.
After Care
1. Before keeping all articles in the bag, clean and alcoholize them.
2. Get the bag from the table, fold the paper lining ( and insert), and place in between the flaps
and cover the bag.
Evaluation and Documentation
3. Record all relevant findings about the client and members of the family.
4. Take note of environmental factors which affect the clients/family health.
5. Include quality of nurse-patient relationship.
6. Assess effectiveness of nursing care provided.

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Bag Technique

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Copyright:

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Definition

Special Considerations in the Use of the Bag

Contents of the Bag

Note: Blood Pressure Apparatus and Stethoscope are carried separately.

Evaluation and Documentation

4. Take note of environmental factors which affect the clients/family health.

5. Include quality of nurse-patient relationship.

6. Assess effectiveness of nursing care provided.

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