Date: 09/02/21 :

Procedures: Bag
008/

Technique
“CommHealth_LAB”

Lesson 1:
Bag Technique

- A tool of making use of a 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.

PRINCIPLES

1. Performing the bag technique will minimize, if not prevent the spread of any infection.

2. It saves time and effort in the performance of nursing procedures.

3. The bag technique should show the effectiveness of total care given to an individual or
family.

4. The bag technique can be performed in a variety of ways depending on the agency’s
policy, the home situation, or as long as principles of avoiding transfer of infection is
always observed.

 Important points to consider in the use of bag:

1. The bag should contain all the necessary articles, supplies and equipment that
will be used to answer emergency needs.

2. The bag and its contents should be cleaned as often as possible, supplied
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 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, facilitate efficiency and avoid confusion.

Isolation Technique in the Home

1. All articles used by the patient should not be mixed with the articles used by other
members of the household.

2. Frequent washing and airing of beddings and other articles and disinfection of room
are imperative. Abundant use of soap, water, sunlight and some chemical disinfectants
is necessary.

3. The one caring for the sick member should be provided with PPE and should only be
used within the room of the sick.

4. All discharges should be carefully discarded, esp. the nose and throat of a
communicable disease patient.

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 reusing.

7. Articles soiled with discharges should be first boiled in water 30 minutes before
laundering. Those could be burned should be burned.

Contents of The Bag

1. Front of the bag left to right 2. On the right rear of bag

a. Thermometer a. Test tube (2)
b. Ice/Cold pack b. Test tube holder
 c. Medicine dropper j. Rubber suction
d. Alcohol lamp k. Kidney basin
e. Match 6. On top pile of bag
3. On the left rear of bag a. Hand towel
a. Medicine cups b. Soap in a soap dish
b. Baby/weighing scale c. Apron
c. Bandage scissors w/torniquet d. Paper and plastic lining
4. Back of the bag of left to e. Pouches
right 7. On the pocket of the bag
a. Alcohol 70% a. Sterile and clean gloves
b. Acetic acid 5% to 10% b. Sterile tongue blade
c. Aromatic spirit of ammonia c. Waste receptacle
d. Benedict’s solution d. Face mask
e. Liquid or soap solution e. Red, blue, and black pen
f. Denatured alcohol f. Pencil
g. Betadine (Iodine-povidone) g. Ruler
h. Hydrogen peroxide
5. In the center of the bag
a. 3 Hemostat forceps
b. Sterile dressing (OS)
c. Cotton balls
d. Tape measure
e. Roller elastic bandage
f. Syringes (G 23 and 25) and
needles (G 19,22,23& 25)
g. Plaster
h. Cotton applicator
i. Sterile cord lamp

STEPS IN PERFORMING THE BAG TECHNIQUE ACTIONS

Steps 1. Rationale
1. Upon arrival at the patient’s • To protect the bag form getting
home, place the bag on the table contaminated.
lined with a clean paper. The
clean side must be out and the
folded part, touching the table.
2. Ask for a basin/ dipper of water if • To be used for handwashing.
tap running water is not
available.
3. Open the bag and take out waste • To prepare for handwashing.
receptacle, the towel and soap.
• To prevent infection from the care
4. Wash hands using soap and
provider to the client.
water, wipe to dry.
5. Take out the apron from the bag • To protect the nurse’s uniform.

and put it on with the right side

out.
• To have them readily accessible.
6. Put out all the necessary articles
needed for specific care.
7. Close the bag and put it on one
• To prevent contamination.
corner of the working area.
• To give comfort and security and
8. Proceed in performing the
hasten recovery.
necessary nursing care and
treatment.
9. After giving the treatment, clean
• To protect the caregiver and
all things that were used and
prevent infection.
perform handwashing.

10. Open the bag and return all 11. Remove apron, folding it away
things that were used in their from the person, the soiled side in
proper places after cleaning them. and the clean side out. Place it
inside the pouch.
12. Fold the lining, place it inside the  To prevent contamination
bag and close the bag.
13. Take the record and have a talk
with the mother or member of the
family or client. Write down the
necessary data that were
gathered, observations, nursing
care and treatment rendered.
Give instructions for care of  For reference for the next visit
patient in the absence of the
nurse.
14. Make appointment for the next
visit (either home or clinic) taking
note of the date and time.

 Ready for next use  For follow-up care.