Bag Technique

 A tool which the midwife/nurse performs

health-related procedures with ease and
deftness, saving time and effort, with the end
view of rendering effective health care to the
clients during the visit.

Public Health Bag

 An essential and indispensable equipment of a
health care provider which he/she has to carry
along during her/his home visits.

Purpose of Bag Technique

~ To minimize if not totally preventing the spread of infections
from individual to families and ultimately to the community
while rendering effective nursing care to clients and/or family
member during home visit.

1
 Principles of Bag Technique
1. The use of the bag technique should minimize, if not totally
prevent the spread of infection from individual to families,
hence to the community.
2. Saves time and effort of the midwife/nurse during the
performance of midwife/nursing procedures.
3. Bag technique should not overshadow concern for the
patient rather should show effectiveness of total care given
to an individual or family.
4. Can be performed in a variety of ways depending upon
agency policies, actual home situation, as long as the
principles of avoiding transfer of infection is carried out.

Important points to consider in the use of the

bag technique
1. The bag should contain all necessary articles, supplies and
equipment that will be used to answer emergency needs.
2. The bag and its components should be cleaned very often,
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.
4. The arrangement of the contents of the bag should be the one
most convenient for the user, to facilitate efficiency and avoid
confusion.
5. Handwashing is done frequently as the situation calls for.
6. The bag used is done for a communicable case be thoroughly
cleaned and disinfected before keeping and re-using.

2
 Contents of the Public Health Bag
Extra paper for making waste bag (paper bag), plastic/linen
TOP
lining, plastic lining, 2 pairs of sterile gloves, apron
FRONT Thermometer (oral/rectal) or Digital thermometer
2 hand towel in plastic bag, soap in a soap dish, cotton balls,
baby’s scale, tape measure, sterile dressing (OS & CB),
hypoallergenic plaster, 2 pairs of sterile forceps
(curved/straight), sterile Cord clamp, 4 pcs. Of disposable
CENTER syringes with needles (G.23 & 25), hypodermic needles (G. 19,
22, 23, 25), alcohol lamp, kidney basin, apron, hot water bag,
ice bag, sterile cotton applicator, sterile tongue depressor,
tourniquet, tape measure, nail cutter, sterile 4X4 OS, 2pcs.
Empty vials with cover, 2 pcs. Small empty glass container
2 test tubes, test tube holders, test tube brush, match or
lighter, medicine dropper, scissors (bandage & surgical),
REAR medicine glass, sterile mayo scissor, 70% alcohol,
betadine, hydrogen peroxide, ophthalmic ointment,
spirit of ammonia, Benedict’s solution, ascetic acid
Note: BP apparatus, Stethoscope and non-folding umbrella are
carried separately

Arrangement of the Bag Contents

1. Front of the bag Left to Right
-Oral thermometer, then rectal thermometer/digital
thermometer
2. On the Right rear side of the bag
~ Test tubes, test tube holder, match or lighter, medicine
dropper
3. On Left rear end of the bag
~ Medicine glass, baby scale and scissors

3
 Ascetic test Result interpretation:

NEGATIVE No cloudiness
Cloudiness is perceptible against a
TRACE
black background
Cloudiness is distinct but not granular
against a black background and can
+
barely be seen when held up to the
light.
Cloudiness is distinct and granular light
+++
(0.2gm% - 0.5gm% )
Cloud is dense with large flocculi, any
+++++ solidity (0.5gm %) albumin becomes
solid and boiling.
CLOUDINESS indicates ALBUMINURIA

Benedict’s test Result interpretation:

BLUE NEGATIVE
GREEN TRACE
GREEN with YELLOW
+
Precipitate
YELLOW to DARK GREEN ++
BROWN +++
ORANGE to BRICK RED ++++
(+) POSITIVE, presence of GLUCOSE

4
5