BAG TECHNIQUE

DEFINITION

Bag technique
a tool by which the nurse, during her visit will
enable her to perform a nursing procedure with
ease, to save time and effort, with the end view of
rendering effective nursing care to clients.

COMMUNITY HEALTH BAG:

It

is an essential and indispensable equipment

of the community health nurse which he/she
has to carry along while conducting community
visits.
It contains basic articles which are necessary
for
giving
nursing
care
at
home
situations/community
settings.

AIM:To render effective nursing care to clients

in various settings such as home, school,
occupational setting etc
OBJECTIVES:
To assess the health status of the clients
To carry out need based nursing procedure
based on scientific principles
To demonstrate procedures to individuals,
families and community
To teach the clients, families and community
regarding various procedures
To evaluate the progress in the health status

PRINCIPLES

Avoid unnecessary exposure of the articles inside

the bag and take out only the required articles for
the particular procedure
Hand washing is done as frequently as the
situation calls for which helps in minimizing the
risk of infection.
The bag and its contents should be cleaned as
often as possible, supplies replaced and ready for
use at any time.
The bag when used for a communicable case
should be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected
before
replacing
items
for
next
use.

5. Prevention of contamination
6. Protection of the caregiver
7. Make articles readily accessible
8. Make follow-up care

DESCRIPTION OF THE BAG

The bag is made up of durable long lasting

weightless washable and easily dryable material.
The bag contains two outer compartments and
two inner compartments with necessary pockets.
A strap is attached to facilitate shoulder hanging.
The bag is closed with two buckles or velcro.

ARTICLES IN BAG
Hand washing article
Dressing artices
Instruments: stainless steel, rubber etc
Kits
Bottles

ARTICLES IN BAG
Foetoscope
Kidney tray 1
Bowl small/Medium 2
Stethoscope 1
B.P apparatus Dial type -1
Dissecting Forceps toothed 1
Dissecting Forceps non Toothed -1
Artery Forceps -1
Dressing Scissors 1
Test tubes 4

Test tube holder 1

Clinical thermometer 1
Tape measure 1
Soap dish with soap
Syringes 5ml
Syringes 10ml
Spirit lamp
Surgical gloves 2
Bottle of spirit 1
Bottle of savlon solution -1
Povidin lotion 1
Cotton roll small 1pkt
Spring balance 1
Newspaper

COMPARTMENTS OF BAG
Outer }un-sterile: front & back
Inner clean
Inner sterile

Outer compartment articles : Soap , soap dish , towel, nail

brush (Hand washing equipments), paper bags, news papers,
diary/notebook. Pen, pencil, inch tape, torch, plastic bottles
Inner clean : All urine analysis equipments Kidney tray,
Sprit lamp or candle, Match box, Test tube and holder
Dropper and syringe, Cotton rag pieces, Bottles, benedict or
acetic acid, fetoscope, measuring jar
Inner sterile compartment: Thermometer, Cotton packs
Spirit , Providon Iodine , hydrogen peroxide solutions,
Instrument pack with artery forceps, thumb forceps and
scissors Bowls ,, medicines , needles, open sterile lancets

SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS IN THE

USE OF THE BAG
1.
2.

3.

4.

Carry the bag on your left shoulder.

Bags opening side should face to the personThe
bag
should
contain
all
necessary
articles,supplies and equipment which may be
used to answer emergency needs.
The bag and its contents should be cleaned as
often as possible, supplies replaced and ready
for use at anytime.
The bag and its contents should be well
protected from contact with any article in the
home of the patients.

Consider the bag and its contents clean and/or sterile

while any article belonging to the patients as dirty
and contaminated.
Once hands are washed the sequence of using bag will
be from the sterile to less clean pockets Should not
keep any personal items
Sterilization Sterilize the equipment before and after
care If not able, clean it with sprite/ soap and water
Any item couldn't able to clean properly keep in cover
and keep in outer compartment & do the sterilization
later

EVALUATION AND
DOCUMENTATION:

1. Record all relevant findings about the client

and members of the family.
2. Take note of environmental factors which
affect the clients/family health.

3. Include quality of nurse-patient relationship.

4. Assess effectiveness of nursing care provided.

5.The arrangement of the contents of the bag

should be the one most convenient to the user to
facilitate the efficiency and avoid confusion
6. Hand washing is done as frequently as the
situation calls for, helps in minimizing or
avoiding contamination of the bag and its
contents.
7. The bag when used for a communicable case
should be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected
before keeping and re-using.

GENERAL STEPS:
Greet the family and explain the purpose of visit
Select a flat clean work area preferably on a
higher surface which underpins body mechanics.
Open the bag, take the linen or plastic lining
and spread over work field. The paper lining
clean side out (folded part out).
Place the bag on the table or any flat surface
lined with paper lining, clean side out (folded
part touching the table). Put bags handles or
straps beneath the bag.

 Place

the bag on the left side of the

newspaper.
Put the bags strap beneath the bag
Ask the family for hand washing area
Unbuckle the bag and take out the hand
washing articles from the 2 nd outer
compartment
Give specific instructions to the family
member as per the procedure
Place the soap dish over the small piece of
paper in a clean place near the washing
area.

Wash hands with soap and water using seven steps and
dry with towel
Take out the articles from the bag required for the
planned procedure
Keep the bag closed and arrange the articles over the
spread paper.
Carry out the procedure with proper explanation to the
family members.
Wash and dry the articles after the procedure and
replace them properly in the bag.

 Provide

relevant health education to

family members.
Hand over the newspaper and other solid
waste to the family and ask them to
dispose it by burning.
Evaluate the effectiveness of nursing care
provided.
write a report of the activities carried out
in the diary and plan for next visit.