PHN BAG
Definition
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 nursewhich 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 Bag
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 it’s 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 Dressing [OS, cotton ball]
Paper lining Alcohol lamp
Extra paper for making bag for Tape Measure
waste materials (paper bag) Baby’s scale
Plastic linen/lining 1 pair of rubber gloves
Apron 2 test tubes
Hand towel in plastic bag Test tube holder
Soap in soap dish Medicines
Thermometers in case [one oral and rectal] betadine
2 pairs of scissors [1 surgical and 1 70% alcohol
bandage] ophthalmic ointment (antibiotic)
2 pairs of forceps [ curved and straight] zephiran solution
Syringes [5 ml and 2 ml] hydrogen peroxide
Hypodermic needles g. 19, 22, 23, 25 spirit of ammonia
Sterile dressings [OS, C.B] acetic acid
Sterile Cord Tie benedict’s solution
Adhesive Plaster
Note: Blood Pressure Apparatus and Stethoscope are carried separately.
Steps/Procedures
Actions Rationale
1. Upon arriving at the client’s home, place the bag on To protect the bag from contamination.
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 faucet To be used for handwashing.
is not 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 To make a non-contaminated work field or
over work field or area. The paper lining, clean side out area.
(folded part out).
4. Take out hand towel, soap dish and apron and the To prepare for handwashing.
place 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 Handwashing prevents possible infection from
plastic wrappers of the towel in asoap dish in the bag. one care provider to the client.
6. Put on apron right side out and wrong side with To protect the nurses’ uniform. Keeping the
crease touching the body, sliding the head into the neck crease creates aesthetic appearance.
strap. Neatly tie the straps at the back.
7. Put out things most needed for the specific case To make them readily accessible.
(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 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 To protect caregiver and prevent spread of
and 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 To be used as reference for future visit.
health care, taking anecdotal notes preparatory to final
reporting.
17. Make appointment for the next visit ( either home For follow-up care.
or clinic), taking note of the date, time and purpose.
After Care
1. Before keeping all articles in the bag, clean and alcoholize them.
2. 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
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.
Reference:
Community Health Nursing Services in the Philippines, DOH Rotessa Joyce D.Ong, R.N. Clinical Instructor, UZ-SAM
