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 etcOBJECTIVES: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 BAGHand washing articleDressing articesInstruments: stainless steel, rubber etcKitsBottles

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

Test tube holder 1Clinical thermometer 1Tape measure 1Soap dish with soapSyringes 5mlSyringes 10ml Spirit lampSurgical gloves 2Bottle of spirit 1Bottle of savlon solution -1Povidin lotion 1Cotton roll small 1pktSpring balance 1Newspaper

COMPARTMENTS OF BAGOuter }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 bottlesInner 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 jarInner 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 BAGCarry 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 itemsSterilization 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 compartmentGive specific instructions to the family member as per the procedurePlace 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.

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