By: ROY CRESENCIO R. LINAO JR., RN.

Definition: The bag is a tool use by the nurse, during community visit which will enable her to perform a nursing procedure with ease and deftness, to save time and effort, with the end of rendering effective nursing care to clients. The public health bag is an essential and indispensable equipment of a public health nurse which she has to carry along during her home visits. It contains basic medications and articles which are necessary for giving care.

Principles of bag technique

a. Performing the bag technique will minimize, if not prevent the spread of any infection. b. It saves time and effort in the performance of nursing procedures. c. The bag technique should now the effectiveness of total care given to an individual or family. d. The bag technique can be performed in a variety of ways depending on the agencys policy, the home situation, or as large as principles of avoiding transfer of infection is always observed.

Contents of the Public Health Bag

Paper lining Extra paper for making waste bag Plastic/linen lining Apron Hand towel Soap in a soap dish Thermometer (oral and rectal) 2 pairs of scissors (surgical and bandage) 2 pairs of forceps (curve and straight) Disposable syringes with needles (g. 23 and 25)

Hypodermic needles g. 19,22,23,25 Sterile dressing Cotton balls (dry with alcohol) Cord clamp Micro pore plaster Tape measure 1 pair of sterile gloves Babys scale Alcohol lamp 2 test tubes

Contents of the Public Health Bag Solution of:

Betadine Zephiran solution Spirit of ammonia Acetic acid 70% alcohol Hydrogen peroxide Ophthalmic ointment Benedicts solution
* Sphygmomanometer and stethoscope are

Important Points to Consider in the Use of the Bag 1. The bag should contain all necessary articles, supplies and equipment that will be used to answer emergency needs. 2. The bag and its contents should be cleaned very often, the supplies replace and ready for use anytime. 3. The bag and its contents should be well protected from contact with any article in the patients home. Consider the bag and its contents clean and sterile, with articles that belong to the patients as dirty and contaminated. 4. The arrangement of the contents of the bag should be the one most convenient to the user, to facilitate efficiency and avoid confusion.

Steps in Performing the Bag Technique Actions 1. Upon arrival at the patients home, place the bag on the table lined with a clean paper. The clean side must be out and the folded part, touching the table. 2. Ask for basin of water or a glass of drinking water if tap water is not available. 3. Open the bag and take out the towel and soap. 4. Wash hands using soap and water. Wipe to dry. 5. Take out the apron from the bag and put it on with the right side out. 6. Put out all the necessary articles needed for the specific care.

Steps in Performing the Bag Technique Actions 7. Close the bag and put it in a one corner of the working area 8. Proceed in performing the necessary nursing care and treatment. 9. After giving the treatment, clean all things that were used and perform handwashing. 10. Open the bag and return all things that were used in their proper places after cleaning them. 11. Remove apron, folding it away from the person, the soiled side in and the clean side out. Place it in the bag.

Steps in Performing the Bag Technique Actions 12. Fold the lining. Place it inside the bag and close the bag. 13. Take the record and have a 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. 14. Make appointment for the next visit (either home or clinic) taking note of the date and time.

Urine Test for Albumin

Purpose: to test of albumin in the urine

Preparation: acetic acid dropper test tube holder test tube match kidney basin alcohol lamp

PROCEDURE:
1. Upon arrival at the patients home, place the bag on the table lined with a clean paper. The clean side must be out and the folded part, touching the table. 2. Ask for basin of water or a glass of drinking water if tap water is not available. 3. Open the bag and take out the towel and soap. 4. Wash hands using soap and water. Wipe to dry. 5. Take out the apron from the bag and put it on with the right side out. 6. Put out all the necessary articles needed for the specific care.
Note: urine specimen should be collected early in the morning before breakfast and after external douche.

PROCEDURE:
7. Light the alcohol lamp 8. fill test tube 2/3 or full or urine 9. heat upper portion only test tube with urine. 10.after the urine boils, if there is no change in the heated portion when compared with the unheated portion, the result is negative. It is not necessary to add acetic acid to the urine specimen. 11.if there is cloudiness after boiling, add 5 drops of acetic acid to the urine. The waste receptacle should be under it. 12.Reboil the urine

PROCEDURE:
13.if cloudiness disappears after boiling, the urine is negative for albumin and the cloudiness is only due to the presence of phosphates. 14.if cloudiness remains after boiling, it is positive for albumin. 15.place used dropper in waste receptacle 16.do after care 17.Open the bag and return all things that were used in their proper places after cleaning them. 18.Remove apron, folding it away from the person, the soiled side in and the clean side out. Place it in the bag.

PROCEDURE:
19.Take the record and have a 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. 20.Make appointment for the next visit (either home or clinic) taking note of the date and time.

Interpretation: Slight cloudiness Thick cloudiness / moderate Egg white cloudiness +2 +3 +4

A positive test for albumin implies of pregnancy induced hypertension (PIH)

Urine Test for Sugar

Preparation: test tube test tube holder match kidney basin calibrated medicine glass alcohol lamp dropper benedicts solution urine specimen

PROCEDURE:
1. Upon arrival at the patients home, place the bag on the table lined with a clean paper. The clean side must be out and the folded part, touching the table. 2. Ask for basin of water or a glass of drinking water if tap water is not available. 3. Open the bag and take out the towel and soap. 4. Wash hands using soap and water. Wipe to dry. 5. Take out the apron from the bag and put it on with the right side out. 6. Put out all the necessary articles needed for the specific care.

PROCEDURE:
7. Measure 5ml of the benidicts solution in medicine glass and place inside the test tube. 8. Heat over flame until boils 9. Once it boils, add 8 drops of urine and boil the mixture for 5 minutes shaking at the same time 10. After 5 minutes observe for any change in color. 11. Open the bag and return all things that were used in their proper places after cleaning them. 12. Remove apron, folding it away from the person, the soiled side in and the clean side out. Place it in the bag.

PROCEDURE:
13. Take the record and have a 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 14. Make appointment for the next visit (either home or clinic) taking note of the date and time.

Interpretation:
No change of color (still blue) Greenish-blue Yellowish green Orange-yellow or brick red negative traces +3 +4

Note: presence of sugar in urine may indicate diabetes mellitus. Refer the client to the physician.

R.D. ugma!!!!

Good Luck!
Roy Cresencio R. Linao Jr., RN.