Bag Technique and the PHN Bag
Bag
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
1. The bag should contain all necessary
articles, supplies and equipment
which may be used to answer
emergency needs.
2. The bag and it’s contents should be
cleaned as often as possible, supplies
replaced and ready for use at any
time.
3. The bag and it’s 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 • Acetic acid
• Benedict’s solution
Front of the bag (left to right) • Liquid soap
• Adhesive Plaster • Cotton in sterile water
• Tape Measure In the center of the bag
• Thermometers in case [one oral and • 2 pairs of forceps [ curved and straight]
rectal] • 1 surgical scissors
• Cotton Applicator • Sterile dressings [OS, C.B]
On right rear of the bag • Roller Bandage
• 2 test tubes • Syringes [5 ml and 2 ml]
• Test tube holder • Hypodermic needles g. 19, 22, 23, 25
• Medicine dropper • Sterile cord clamp
• Alcohol lamp • Kidney basin
On left rear of the bag On the top pile, center of the bag
• Medicine glass • Hand towel in plastic bag
• Bandage Scissor • Soap in soap dish
• Baby’s scale • Apron
• Rubber Suction • Plastic / linen lining
Back of the bag (left to right) Pocket of bag
• 70% alcohol • Surgical gloves
• Betadine solution • Extra paper for making bag for waste
• Hydrogen peroxide materials (paper bag)
• Terramycin ophthalmic Note:
ointment (antibiotic) Blood Pressure Apparatus and Stethoscope are
• Zephiran solution carried separately.
• Spirit of ammonia Folded paper lining inserted between the flaps
and cover of the bag.

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 of To be used for handwashing.
water if faucet is not available. Place To protect the work field from being wet.
these outside the work area.
3. Open the bag, take the linen/plastic To make a non-contaminated work field
lining and spread over work field or area. or 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
towel. Leave the plastic wrappers of the from one care provider to the client.
towel in a soap dish in the bag.
6. Put on apron right side out and wrong To protect the nurses’ uniform. Keeping
side with crease touching the body, the crease creates aesthetic appearance.
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 work To prevent contamination of clean area.
area.
9. Close the bag. To give comfort and security, maintain
personal hygiene and hasten recovery.
10. Proceed to the specific nursing care To prevent contamination of bag and
or treatment. contents.
11. After completing nursing care or To protect caregiver and prevent spread of
treatment, clean and alcoholize the things infection to others.
used.
12. Do hand washing again.
13. Open the bag and put back all articles
in their proper places.
14. Remove apron folding away from the
body, with soiled side folded 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 visit For follow-up care.
(either home or clinic), taking note of the
date, time and purpose.

After Care 2. Get the bag from the table, fold the paper
lining (and insert), and place in between the
1. Before keeping all articles in the bag, clean flaps and cover the bag.
and alcohol them.
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.

5. Include quality of nurse-patient relationship.

6. Assess effectiveness of nursing care provided.