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THE BAG TECHNIQUE A tool making use of a public health bag by which the nurse, during his/her home

e visit will enable her to perform a nursing procedure with ease and deftness, saving time and effort Rationale: to render effective nursing care to clients during home visit Public Health Bag Is an essential and indispensable equipment of the public health nurse which he/she has to carry along during home visits. Contains basic medications and articles which are necessary for giving care. Principles Minimize if not prevent the spread of any infection. Saves time and effort in the performance of nursing procedures. Show the effectiveness of total care given to an individual or family. Performed in a variety of ways depending on the agencys policy, the home situation, or as long as principles of avoiding transfer of infection is always observed. Special Considerations Contain all necessary articles, supplies and equipments. Bag & its contents should be cleaned as often as possible, supplies replaced & ready for use any time. Should be well protected from contact with any article in the home of the patients. Arrangement of the contents should be convenient to the user. Hand washing is done frequently to minimize & avoid contamination. When used for communicable cases, should be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected before keeping and re-using.

Contents Paper lining Extra paper for making bag for waste materials (paper bag) Plastic/linen lining Apron Hand towel in plastic bag Soap in soap dish Thermometers (oral, rectal, axilla) 2 pairs of scissors (Surgical & bandage) 2 pairs of forceps (curve & straight) Disposable Syringes with needles (g.23 & 25) Hypodermic needles g. 19, 22, 23, 25 Sterile dressings Cotton Balls (dry & with alcohol) Cord Clamp Micropore plaster Alcohol lamp Tape measure Babys scale 1 pair of sterile gloves 2 test tubes Test tube holders Solutions of: Betadine, 70% alcohol, Ophthalmic ointment, Zephiran solution, Hydrogen peroxide, Spirit of ammonia, Acetic acid, Benedicts solution * Sphygmomanometer and stethoscope are carried separately

HOME VISIT Is a family-nurse contact which allows the health worker to assess the home and family situations in order to provide necessary nursing care and health related activities It is essential to prepare a plan of visit to meet the needs of the client and achieve the best results of desired outcomes Purpose of Home Visit To give nursing care to the sick, to a post partum mother and her newborn. To assess the living condition of the patient and his family and their health practices. To give health teachings regarding the prevention and control of diseases. To establish close relationship between the health agencies and the public for the promotion of health. To make use of the inter-referral system and to promote the utilization of community services. Principles of Home Visit Have a purpose or objective. Should make use of all available information. Should revolve around the essential needs. Planning & delivery of care should involve the individual and family. Planning should be flexible and practical. Guidelines in Determining Frequency of Home Visit Physical, psychological and educational needs of the individual and family. Acceptance of the family; willingness and interest to cooperate. The policy of a specific agency and the emphasis given towards their health programs.

Other health agencies and number of health personnel already involved in the care of a specific family. Careful evaluation of past services. Ability of the patient and his family to recognize their needs, knowledge of available resources and their ability to make of their resources for their benefits.

Steps in Home Visit 1. Greet Client & introduce self. 2. Explain purpose of home visit. 3. Observe the patient and determine the health needs. 4. Place bag in a convenient place and perform the bag technique. 5. Perform the nursing care needed and give health teachings. 6. Record all important data, observation and care rendered. 7. Make an appointment for a return visit.

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