The Public Health Nursing Bag

INTRODUCTION
The public health nursing bag is an essential equipment for the community health nurse which
he/she carries with him/her during his/her visit to the home of their clients. There are certain
principles in the use of the bag which the nurse must observe to work efficiently and effectively.
It is the purpose of this procedure is to acquaint the nurse with his/her responsibility in
preventing the spread of infection through the presence of the proper handling of the PHN bag

OBJECTIVE
At the end of this procedure, the student will be able to:
1. Prepare the essential article, supplies and equipment of the PHN bag
2. Utilize the principles of the PHN bag and the bag technique when making a home visit
3. Recognize the importance of carrying along the PHN bag during the home visit

CONTENTS OF THE PHN BAG

LEFT REAR BACK OF THE BAG(LEFT TO RIGHT)
Medicine bag Alcohol 70% Aromatic spirit of ammonia
Baby scale Benedict’s Solution Bottle of dry cotton
Bandage Acetic Acid 5% Betadine

CENTER OF THE BAG RIGHT REAR

Hemostat forceps Test tube and Holder
Sterile OS/CB Medicine dropper
Roller bandage
Tape measure
Disposable syringe TOP FILE CENTER
Plaster Apron
Cotton applicator Soap and Soap case
OB pack Hand towel
a. Hypo towel 3# Paper waster bag
b. 3 forceps Towel lining
c. Gauze 4x4
d. Surgical scissors FRONT OF THE BAG
Pair of gloves Thermometer
Kidney basin
Alcohol lamp with denatured alcohol match
 PRINCIPLES IN THE BAG TECHNIQUE
1. The bag should minimize if not totally prevent the spread of infection from one
individual to another
2. It must save the nurse time and effort in performing the procedure
3. It must not overshadow concern for the patient but rather to show effectiveness of the
total care to the individual or family
4. The bag technique can be done in varied ways as long as the principles of preventing the
infection is carried out

PHN BAG TECHNIQUE

PRINCIPLES TO CONSIDER IN THE USE OF THE PUBLIC HEALTH NURSING BAG
1. The bag should contain all the necessary article, supplies and equipment which maybe
be use to answer emergency needs
2. The bag and its contents should always be clean. Supplies should be replaced and read
to use any time
3. The bag and its content should always be protected and free from contact with any
articles from the client’s home. always consider the bag clean or sterile while client’s
article is dirty and contaminated
4. The content of the bag should be arranged to provide convenience to the nurse and
facilitate efficiency and avoid confusion
5. Hand washing helps minimize future contamination of the bag and the contents
6. When bag is used to attend communicable cases, thorough cleaning and disinfection
should be done before the bag is kept and reused.

BAG TECHNIQUE-I is a tool by which the nurses use, during a visit, where the nurse can perform
the procedure with his/her care and deftness saving time and effort with the end view of
rendering effective nursing care

Suggested step
1. Take the paper lining from the top of the bag (without opening)
2. Lay newspaper lining on a flat surface on either table if none used the floor. Paper
should be large to protect the bag from touching the bottom
3. Place bag on the upper left side of the paper lining
4. Open bag and takeout and place it on the right side
5. Takeout the towel and soap in the case and place it on top of towel lining (Close the
Bag)
6. Wash hand using pouring method if there is no running water
7. Dry hands with towel
8. Open the Bag and remove the apron and put it on ,observing the proper technique
9. Remove from the bag needed article for care (close the bag)
10. Give Nursing care ,clean articles used ,dispose waste then wash hands
11. Open the bag and return articles
12. Remove apron inside out
13. Return the towel lining hand towel and soap on top file on the center of the bag
14. Close the bag
15. Record visit