BAG TECHNIQUE

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.
Guiding Principles in the use of Public Health Bag:
1. Content-should be prepared by the one who will make home visit.
2. Cleaning
The inner part of the bag should be clean & sterile
Should be done every after home visit
Never endorse the bag
3. Contamination - The less one opens the bag, the lesser chance of
contamination.
In general, the bag is opened three times:
a. Putting out materials for hand washing
b. Putting out materials used for nursing care
c. Returning all what have been used
4. Care of Communicable Case(s)-should be disinfected with the use of
70%isopropyl alcohol or Lysol which should be done at the health center and
not at home.
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 its 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

1. Paper lining
2. Extra paper for making bag for waste materials (paper bag)
3. Plastic linen/lining
4. Apron
5. Hand towel in plastic bag
6. Soap in soap dish
7. Thermometers in case [one oral and rectal]
8. 2 pairs of scissors [1 surgical and 1 bandage]
9. 2 pairs of forceps [curved and straight]
10.
Syringes [5 ml and 2 ml]
11.
Hypodermic needles g.
19, 22, 23, 25
12.
Sterile dressings [OS,
C.B]
13.
Sterile Cord Tie
14.
Adhesive Plaster
15.
Dressing [OS, cotton ball]
16.
Alcohol lamp
17.
Tape Measure
18.
Babys scale
19.
1 pair of rubber gloves
20.
2 test tubes
21.
Test tube holder
22.
Medicines
Betadine
70% alcohol
Ophthalmic ointment (antibiotic)
Zephiran solution
Hydrogen peroxide
Spirit of ammonia
Acetic acid
Benedicts solution

Note: Blood Pressure Apparatus and Stethoscope are carried separately.