PUBLIC HEALTH BAG

 an essential and indispensable equipment of a public health nurse which she has to carry
along during her home visits. It contains basic medication and articles which are
necessary for giving care.

Contents of the Public Health Bag

 1st Outer (Outermost) Compartment

-paper/plastic lining
-extra paper
 2nd Outer Compartment
-hand washing materials
-a plastic packet containing soap, soap dish and hand towel
-apron
 Small outer side
-Paracetamol
-ORS packet
-antihypertensive
-antispasmodic
-antidiarrhea
 1st Inner Compartment
-kidney basin
-matchbox/lighter
 nd
2 Inner (Innermost) Compartment
-small bottle containing following solutions:
-hydrogen peroxide
-70% alcohol
-betadine
-benedict reagent*
-spirit of ammonia
-acetic acid*
-2 forceps (curve and straight)
-2 scissors (bandage and surgical)
- digital thermometer
-tape measure
- 2 test tube*
-test tube holder*
-alcohol lamp*
-measuring cup/ medicine glass
-syringes (1cc, 3cc, 5cc)
-hypodermic needles (G23, G26)
-dropper
-weighing scale
-sterile dressing
-clean cotton balls (dry and wet)
-gauze piece
-plaster/adhesive tape
-bandage
-sterile gloves

*BP apparatus and stethoscope are carried separately and are never placed in the bag.

BAG TECHNIQUE
 a tool by which the nurse, during her visit will enable her to perform a nursing procedure
with ease and deftness, to save time and effort with the end view of rendering effective
nursing care to clients.

Principles of Bag Technique

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 the emergency needs
2. 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 it’s contents clean and /or sterile while any
article belonging to the patient as dirty and contaminated.
3. The bag and it’s contents should be cleaned as often as possible, supplies replaced and
ready for use at any time.
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.

Steps in Performing the Bag Technique Actions

Actions Rationale
1. Upon arriving at the client’s home, place the To protect the bag from contamination.
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 water if To be used for handwashing.
faucet is not available. Place these outside the To protect the work field from being wet.
work area.
3. Open the bag and take out hand towel and To prepare for handwashing.
soap.
4. Do handwashing. Wipe, dry with towel. Handwashing prevents possible infection from one care
provider to the client.
5. Put on apron right side out and wrong side To protect the nurses’ uniform. Keeping the crease
with crease touching the body, sliding the head creates aesthetic appearance.
into the neck strap. Neatly tie the straps at the
back.
6. Put out all the necessary articles needed for the To have the readily available.
specific area.
7. Close the bag and put it in one corner of the To prevent contamination.
working area.
8. Place waste paper bag outside of work area. To prevent contamination of the working area.
9. Proceed to the specific nursing care or To give comfort nd security and hasten recovery.
treatment.
10. After completing nursing care or treatment, To protect caregiver and prevent spread of infection to
clean all the things that were used and perform others.
handwashing.
11. Open the bag and return all the things that
were used in their proper places after cleaning
them.
12. Remove apron folding away from the body,
with soiled side folded inwards, and the clean
side out. Place it in the bag.
13. Fold the linen/plastic lining, clean; place it in
the bag and close the bag.
14. Take the record and have talk with the mother. To be used as reference for future visit.
Write down all the necessary data that were
gathered, observations, nursing care and
treatment rendered. Give instructions for care
of patients in the absence of nurse.
15. Make appointment for the next visit (either For follow-up care.
home or clinic) taking note of the date and
time.