Bag Technique

To render effective nursing care to clients and /or members

of the family during home visits.

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
Bag technique – a tool making individual or family.
use of public health bag through 4. Bag technique can be performed in a variety of ways
which the nurse, during his/her depending upon agency policies, actual home situation, etc.,
home visit, can perform nursing as long as principles of avoiding transfer of infection is
procedures with ease and deftness, carried out.
saving time and effort with the end
in view of rendering effective Special Considerations in the Use of the Bag
nursing care.
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
Public health bag - is an possible, supplies replaced and ready for use at any time.
essential and indispensable 3. The bag and its contents should be well protected from
equipment of the public health contact with any article in the home of the patients. Consider
nurse which he/she has to carry the bag and its contents clean and /or sterile while any
along when he/she goes out home article belonging to the patient as dirty and contaminated.
visiting. It contains basic 4. The arrangement of the contents of the bag should be the
medications and articles which are one most convenient to the user to facilitate the efficiency
necessary for giving care. and avoid confusion.
5. Hand washing is done as frequently as the situation calls for,
Rationale helps in minimizing or avoiding contamination of the bag and
its contents.
 6. The bag when used for a communicable case should be o ophthalmic ointment (antibiotic)
thoroughly cleaned and disinfected before keeping and re- o zephiran solution
using. o hydrogen peroxide
o spirit of ammonia
o acetic acid
o benedict’s solution
Contents of the Bag
Note: Blood Pressure Apparatus and Stethoscope are carried separately.
• Paper lining
• Extra paper for making bag for waste materials (paper Contents & Arrangement—
bag)
• Plastic linen/lining 1. Front of Bag Left to Right
• Apron
• Hand towel in plastic bag a) Mouth Thermometer
• Soap in soap dish b) Rectal Thermometer in Case
• Thermometers in case [one oral and rectal]
• 2 pairs of scissors [1 surgical and 1 bandage] 2. On The Right Rear of Bag
• 2 pairs of forceps [ curved and straight]
• Syringes [5 ml and 2 ml] a) Test Tube & Holder
• Hypodermic needles g. 19, 22, 23, 25 b) Medicine Dropper
• Sterile dressings [OS, C.B]
• Sterile Cord Tie 3. On left Rear End
• Adhesive Plaster
• Dressing [OS, cotton ball] a) Medicine Glass
• Alcohol lamp b) Baby Scale
• Tape Measure c) Bandage Scissor
• Baby’s scale
• 1 pair of rubber gloves 4. Back of Bag Left-Right
• 2 test tubes
• Test tube holder Alcohol 70%; Acetic Acid 5%; Aromatic Spirit of
• Medicines Ammonia; Liquid Soap & Cotton in Sterile
o betadine Water for Cleansing Thermometers
o 70% alcohol
 5. In the Center of the Bag 5. Do handwashing. Wipe, dry with Handwashing prevents possible
towel. Leave the plastic wrappers of infection from one care provider to the
Hemostat Forcep; Sterile Dressing(OS & cotton the towel in a soap dish in the bag. client.
balls); Tape Measure; Roller Bandage; Syringe
& Needles in Container; Cotton Applicator 6. Put on apron right side out and To protect the nurses’ uniform.
wrong side with crease touching the Keeping the crease creates aesthetic
6. On Top Pile Center of Bag body, sliding the head into the neck appearance.
strap. Neatly tie the straps at the back.
Hand Towel; Soap in soap case; Apron; 7. Put out things most needed for the To make them readily accessible.
Paper; Waste Bag in pocket of Bag specific case (e.g.) thermometer,
kidney basin, cotton ball, waste paper
Steps/Procedures: bag) and place at one corner of the
work area.
Actions Rationale 8. Place waste paper bag outside of To prevent contamination of clean
1. Upon arriving at the client’s home, To protect the bag from work area. area.
place the bag on the table or any flat contamination. 9. Close the bag. To give comfort and security, maintain
surface lined with paper lining, clean personal hygiene and hasten recovery.
side out (folded part touching the
10. Proceed to the specific nursing To prevent contamination of bag and
table). Put the bag’s handles or strap
care or treatment. contents.
beneath the bag.
11. After completing nursing care or To protect caregiver and prevent
2. Ask for a basin of water and a glass To be used for handwashing.
treatment, clean and alcoholize the spread of infection to others.
of water if faucet is not available. To protect the work field from being
things used.
Place these outside the work area. wet.
12. Do handwashing again.
3. Open the bag, take the linen/plastic To make a non-contaminated work
lining and spread over work field or field or area. 13. Open the bag and put back all
area. The paper lining, clean side out articles in their proper places.
(folded part out). 14. Remove apron folding away from
4. Take out hand towel, soap dish and To prepare for handwashing. the body, with soiled sidefolded
apron and the place them at one inwards, and the clean side out. Place
corner of the work area (within the it in the bag.
confines of the linen/plastic lining). 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
matters relevant to health care, taking visit.
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 Bicol University

College of Nursing
1. Before keeping all articles in the bag, clean and alcoholize them.
Legazpi City
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. Bag Technique
5. Include quality of nurse-patient relationship.

6. Assess effectiveness of nursing care provided.

By:
Reference: Kristine Kaye Racho
Community Health Nursing Services in the Philippines, DOH
Kristina Ruth Marie V. Moya
BSN 1-A
(Group 5)
 Clinical Instructor:
Mrs. Fe L. Binalingbing, R.M.,R.N.,Ed.D.

April 2010