UNIVERSITY OF THE CORDILLERAS

COLLEGE OF NURSING

BAGUIO CITY

THE BAG TECHNIQUE ( The Nursing bag)

Bag technique – is a tool making use of the community health nursing bag.

The following are the general Principles in the use of the nursing bag ( bag technique)

1. Bag technique Helps the nurse in infection control.

2. Allows the nurse to give care efficiently.
3. Bag technique should not take away the nurses focus on the patient and the family.
4. Bag technique may be performed in different ways.

For infection control the following activities should be practiced during home visits and part of bag
technique.

1. Remember to proceed from clean to contaminated

2. The bag and its contents should be well protected from contact with any article in the patients
home.
3. Line the table/ flat surface with paper
4. Wash hands before and after
5. Bring out only the articles needed
6. Never put any of the family’s article on your paper lining
7. Whenever possible and as necessary wash your articles before putting them back into the bag.
8. After using an article such as an apron or paper lining confine the contaminated surface by
folding the contaminated side inward.
9. Wash the inner cloth lining of the bag necessary.

STEPS IN PERFORMING THE BAG TECHNIQUE

ACTION RATIONALE
1. Upon arrival at the patients home, place the bag To protect the bag from getting
on the table lined with a clean paper or paper contaminated.
lining. The clean side must be out and the folded
part touching the table. Put the bag strap beneath.
2. If there is no sink or running water, ask for basin of To be used for hand washing. To protect
water and a dipper. Place these outside the work the work field from getting wet.
area.
3. While waiting explain the the nature and purpose To allay fear and anxiety of the patient.
of the procedure, treatment or nursing care you
intend to do. Reassure the patient and the family.
 4. Request some members of the family to collect
the supplies or materials to be provided such as
cloth or towel.
5. Open the bag, take out the hand towel and
liquidsoap and place them in the corner of your
work area ( within the confines of the lining) and
close the bag without locking it.
6. Do handwashing.
7. Open the bag ; take out the apron folded wrong
8. side out with the crease touching the body. And To protect the nurse’s uniform
slide the head into the neck strap. Neatly tie the Keeping the creases creates an easthetic
strap around the back. appearance.
9. Take out all the other articles needed for the To make them readily available and
particular care needed to be given. accessible and to prepare for
10. Bring out the cornucopia. the specific care to be rendered.
11. Close the bag. To prevent contamination
12. Proceed with the specific nursing care.
13. After completing the nursing care or treatment, To protect the caregiver and prevent the
clean and disinfect the things used. spread of infection unto others.
14. Do hand washing again, Open the bag and put all To facilitate efficiency and avoid
the articles back again in their proper places. confusion when performing a
procedure.
15. Remove apron folding away from the body with
soiled side folded inwards and the clean side out.
Untie straps at the back bring them together in
front and then slip the neck strap over the head.
Fold neatly and return to its case.
16. Close the bag.
17. Record / document treatment and care rendered
as well as the instructions and the reaction of the
patient.
18. Make an appointment for the next visit. To instruct them to anticipate the needs
19. Taking note of the date time and purpose. of the client
20. Talk with persons responsible for the care of the
case client.

Reminders:

1. Before keeping the articles in the bag, clean and disinfect them.
2. The cornucopia with soiled articles dressing is promptly disposed of before leaving your client’s
house.
3. Get the bag from the table, fold the paper lining neatly. Place the paper lining on the top of the
bag.

Prepared by the RLE team: Jocelyn Pulmano