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 its contents should be cleaned as often as possible, supplies replaced and ready for
use at any time.
3. The bag and its 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

▪ 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

▪ betadine

▪ 70% alcohol

▪ ophthalmic ointment (antibiotic)

▪ zephiran solution

▪ hydrogen peroxide

▪ spirit of ammonia

▪ acetic acid

▪ benedict’s solution
Note: Blood Pressure Apparatus and Stethoscope are carried separately.

Steps/Procedures
Actions Rationale
1. Upon arriving at the client’s home, To protect the bag from contamination.
place the bag on the table or any flat
surface lined with paper lining, 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 To be used for handwashing.
of water if faucet is not available. To protect the work field from being wet.
Place these outside the work area.
3. Open the bag, take the linen/plastic To make a non-contaminated work field or
lining and spread over work field or area.
area. The paper lining, clean side out
(folded part out).
4. Take out hand towel, soap dish and To prepare for handwashing.
apron and the place them at one
corner of the work area (within the
confines of the linen/plastic lining).
5. Do handwashing. Wipe, dry with Handwashing prevents possible infection from
towel. Leave the plastic wrappers of one care provider to the client.
the towel in a soap dish in the bag.
6. Put on apron right side out and To protect the nurses’ uniform. Keeping the
wrong side with crease touching the crease creates aesthetic appearance.
body, sliding the head into the neck
strap. Neatly tie the straps at the back.
7. Put out things most needed for the To make them readily accessible.
specific case (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 To prevent contamination of clean area.
work area.
9. Close the bag. To give comfort and security, maintain personal
hygiene and hasten recovery.
10. Proceed to the specific nursing To prevent contamination of bag and contents.
care or treatment.
11. After completing nursing care or To protect caregiver and prevent spread of
treatment, clean and alcoholize the infection to others.
things used.
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 To be used as reference for future visit.
matters relevant to health care, taking
anecdotal notes preparatory to final
reporting.
17. Make appointment for the next For follow-up care.
visit (either home 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
1. Record all relevant findings about the client and members of the family.
2. Take note of environmental factors which affect the clients/family health.
3. Include quality of nurse-patient relationship.
4. Assess effectiveness of nursing care provided.
Reference:
Community Health Nursing Services in the Philippines, DOH