BSN104 - Bag Technique (Additional Information)

The Bag technique

· The bag technique us a tool by which the nurse, during her visits will enable him/her to perform a nursing procedure with ease and deftness, to save time and effort with the end view of rendering effective care to clients

· The public health bag is essential and indispensable equipment if a public health nurse which he/she carries along during her home visits.

· It is a basic medication and articles which are necessary for giving care

Principles of bag Technique

· Performing the bag technique will minimize, if not prevent the spread of any infection

· It saves time and effort in the performance of nursing procedure

· The bag technique should show effectiveness of total care given to an individual or family

· 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 the bag

1. The bag should contain all the necessary articles, supplies and equipments that will be used to answer 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. Consider the bag and its contents clean and sterile, while the articles that belong to the patient’s as dirty and contaminated

4. The arrangement of the contents of the bag should be one most convenient to user, to facilitate and avoid confusion

Contents of the public health bag

· Paper lining

· Extra paper for making waste bag

· Plastic/linen lining

· Apron

· Handtowel

· Soap in a soap dish

· Thermometer (oral and rectal)

· 2 pairs of scissors (surgical and bandage)

· 2 pairs of scissors (curved and straight)

· Disposable syringes with needles (g.23&25)

· Hypodermic needles (g.19,22,23,25)

· Sterile Dressing

· Cotton Balls (dry and with alcohol)

· Cord Clamp

· Micropore plaster

· Tape measure

· 1 pair of sterile gloves

· Baby’s scale

· Alcohol lamp

· 2 test tubes

· Test tube holders

· Solutions of:

1. Betadine

2. Zephiran solution

3. Spirit of ammonia

4. Acetic acid

5. 70% alcohol

6. Hydrogen peroxide

7. Ophthalmic ointment

8. Benedicts solution

· Sphygmomanometer and stethoscope are carried separately

Steps in the performing the bag technique actions	Rationale
Upon arrival at the patient’s home, place the bag on the table lined with a clean paper. The clean side must be out and folded part, touching the table	To protect the bag from getting contaminated
Ask for a basin of water or a glass of drinking water if tap water is not available	To be used for hand washing
Open the bag and take out the towel and soap	To prepare for hand washing
Wash hands using soap and water. Wipe to dry	To prevent infection from the care provider to the client
Take out the apron from the bag and out it on with the right side out	To protect the nurse’s uniform
Put all the necessary articles needed for the specific care	To have them readily accessible
Close the bag and put it in one corner of the working area	To prevent contamination
Proceed in the performing the necessary nursing care and treatment	To give comfort and security and to hasten recovery
After giving the treatment, clean all things that were used and perform hand washing	To protect the caregiver and prevent infection
Open the bag and return all things that were used in their proper places after cleaning them
Remove apron, folding it away from the person, the soiled side in and the clean side put. Place it in the bag
Fold the lining, place it inside the bag, close the bag
Take the record and have talk with the mother. 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 the nurse	Fro reference in the next visit
Make appointment for the next visit (either home or clinic) taking note of the date and time	For follow-up care

**reference***** Public Health Nursing in the Philippines**

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