Principles of Bag Technique

1. Performing 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.

Contents
The following are the contents of a Public Health Nurse bag:
● Paper lining 12 ½’ – 18 ½” and 14’ – 20”
● Extra paper for making waste bag/paper waste bag
● Plastic/linen lining 13 ½’– 19 ½”
● Apron
● Hand towel
● Kidney basin
● Soap in a soap dish
● Thermometers (oral and rectal)
● 2 pairs of scissors (surgical and bandage)
● 2 pairs of forceps (curved and straight)
● Disposable syringes with needles (g. 23 & 25)
● Hypodermic needles (g. 19, 22, 23, 25)
● Sterile dressing
● Cotton balls
● Cord clamp
● Micropore plaster
● Tape measure
● catheter
● 1 pair of sterile gloves
● Baby’s scale
● Alcohol lamp
● 2 test tubes
● Test tube holders
● Solutions of:
o Betadine
o 70% alcohol
o Zephiran solution
o Hydrogen peroxide
o Spirit of ammnonia
o Ophthalmic ointment
o Acetic acid
o Benedict’s solution
*BP apparatus and stethoscope are carried separately and are never placed in the bag.
Arrangement of the contents of public health bag
● FRONT OF THE BAG (left to right)- oral thermometer (facing down), rectal thermometer, or digital
thermometer )facing down), syringes G23 & G25, Hypodermic needles G19, 22, 23, 25
● on the RIGHT SIDE OF THE BAG- test tube, test tube holder, alcohol lamp
● on the LEFT SIDE OF THE BAG (near to the front)- Baby’s scale
● BACK of the bag (left to right)- betadine, 70% alcohol, hydrogen peroxide, zephiran solution, spirit of
ammonia, Benedict’s solution, ophthalmic solution, acetic acid, and Benedict’s solution
● on the CENTER OF THE BAG- kidney basin, Kelly curve & Kelly straight, scissors, sterile dressing,
cotton balls, microphore, tape measure, hand towel- soap dish & soap, and apron.
● on the TOP POCKET- sterile gloves, catheter , cord clamp, paper waste bags
● TOP OF THE INNER COVER - 12 ½’ – 18 ½” paper lining; 13 ½’– 19 ½” plastic lining; 14’ – 20”
paper lining- for the bottom

Points to consider in the use of the 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 its contents should be cleaned very often, the supplies replaced and ready for use anytime.
3. The bag and its contents should be well protected from contact with any article in the patient’s home.
4. Consider the bag and its contents clean and sterile, while articles that belong to the patients as dirty and
contaminated.
5. The arrangement of the contents of the bag should be the one most convenient to the user, to facilitate
efficiency and avoid confusion.

Procedure
Actions Rationale

1. Upon arriving at the client’s home, place the bag on the To protect the bag from contamination.
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 faucet is not To be used for handwashing.
available. Place these outside the work area.
To protect the work field from being wet.

3. Open the bag, take the linen/plastic lining and spread over To make a non-contaminated work field or
work field or area. The paper lining, clean side out (folded part area.
out).

4. Take out hand towel, soap dish and apron and the place To prepare for handwashing.
them at one corner of the work area (within the confines of the
linen/plastic lining).

5. Do handwashing. Wipe, dry with towel. Leave the plastic Handwashing prevents possible infection
wrappers of the towel in a soap dish in the bag. from one care provider to the client.

6. Put on apron right side out and wrong side with crease To protect the nurses’ uniform. Keeping the
touching the body, sliding the head into the neck strap. Neatly crease creates aesthetic appearance
tie the straps at the back.
 7. Put out things most needed for the specific case (e.g.) To make them readily accessible.
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 area. To prevent contamination of clean area.

9. Close the bag. To give comfort and security, maintain

personal hygiene and hasten recovery.

10. Proceed to the specific nursing care or treatment. To prevent contamination of bag and
contents.

11. After completing nursing care or treatment, clean and To protect caregiver and prevent spread of
alcoholize the things used. infection to others.

12. Do handwashing again.

13. Open the bag and put back all articles in their proper
places.

14. Remove apron folding away from the body, with soiled
sidefolded 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 matters relevant to health To be used as reference for future visit.
care, taking anecdotal notes preparatory to final reporting.

17. Make appointment for the next visit (either home or For follow-up care.
clinic), taking note of the date, time and purpose.

After Care
● Before keeping all articles in the bag, clean and alcoholize them.
● 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
● Record all relevant findings about the client and members of the family.
● Take note of environmental factors which affect the clients/family health.
● Include quality of nurse-patient relationship.
● Assess effectiveness of nursing care provided.