The document outlines the bag technique, which is a method nurses can use to efficiently and effectively provide home care using a public health bag. The bag contains essential medical supplies organized in specific locations. The checklist details 17 steps for setting up the bag as a clean work area, providing treatment or care, cleaning supplies, and documenting the visit. The overall goals of the bag technique are to allow nurses to render quality nursing care in the home efficiently with minimal time and effort.

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BAG TECHNIQUE
OUTLINE
I. Definition
II. Purpose
III. Contents of bag and its arrangement
IV. Checklist
Definition
 It is a tool making use of a public health bag
through which the nurse, during his/her home visit
can perform nursing procedures with ease; less
time and effort and renders effective nursing care.
Purpose
 To render effective nursing care to clients and/or
members of the family during home visit.
Contents of Bag and its Arrangement
Front of bag, left to right
 Oral thermometer
 Rectal thermometer
On right near end of bag
 Test tube and holder
 Medicine dropper
On left near end of bag
 Medicine glass
 Weighing scale
 Bandage scissors
Back of bag (left & right)
 Alcohol 70%
 Opthalmic ointment
 Acetic acid
 Hydrogen Peroxide
 Aromatic spirit of ammonia
 Zephran Solution
 Benedict's solution
 Spirit of ammonia
 Betadine
 Acetic Solution
Center of bag
 Forceps (straight & curved)
 Syringe and needles in container 5 & 2ml
 Roller bandage
 Tape measure
 Alcohol lamp with
 Cord clamp
 denatured alcohol
 Kidney basin
 Rubber gloves
On top file center bag
 Hand towel
 New paper to serve as lining
 Soap on a soap dish
 Apron
 Paper waste bag in
 Plastic lining
 Pocket of bag
Checklist
Procedure Rationale
1.Upon arriving at the
client’s home, place the bag
on the table or any flat
surface lined with paper
lining, clean side out
(Folded part touching the
table). Put bag’s handles or
strap beneath the bag.
To protect the bag from
contamination
2.Ask for a basin of water
and a glass of water if
faucet is not available.
Place these outside the
work area.
To be used for hand
washing
To protect the work
field from being wet.
3.Open the bag, take the
linen/ plastic lining spread
over work field or area. The
paper lining, clean side out
(folded part out).
To make a non-
contaminated work field
or area.
4.Take out hand towel,
soap dish and apron and
place them at one corner of
the work area (within the
confines of the linen/
plastic lining).
To prepare for hand
washing
5.Do hand washing. Wipe,
dry with towel. Leave the
plastic wrappers of the
towel in soap dish in the
bag.
Hand washing prevents
possible infection from
care provider to the
client.
6.Put on apron right side
out and wrong side with
crease touching the body,
sliding the head into the
neck strap. Neatly tie the
straps at the back.
To protect the nurse’s
uniform. Keeping the
crease creates aesthetic
appearance.
7.Put out things most
needed for the specific case
To make them readily
accessible.

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(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 and alcoholize the
things used.
To protect care giver
and prevent spread of
infection to others.
12.Do hand washing again.
13.Open the bag and put
back all articles in their
proper places.
14.Remove apron folding
away from the body,
Keep/discard all soiled
materials use in the Paper
waste bag.
15.Fold the linen/ plastic
lining, clean; place it in the
bag and close the bag.
16.Make past visit
conference on matters
relevant to health care,
taking anecdotal notes
preparatory to final
reporting.
To be used as reference
for future visit and
follow up
17.Record all relevant
findings in client and
members of family and
document all nursing care
treatment done.
To provide data for the
next visit or follow up
care.
18.Make appointment for
the next visit (either home
or clinic), taking note of the
date, time and purpose.
To ensure client’s
availability.
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.