BAG TECHNIQUE

SUPPLIES NEEDED

1. Nursing bag with a clean and dirty section
2. Paper towels, hand soap, hand gel, alcohol wipes, and bleach wipes or antiseptic spray in the
dirty section
3. Equipment such as blood pressure cuff, stethoscope, thermometer and probe covers, scissors, and
wound care supplies in the clean section.
4. Garbage bags. Plastic grocery bags may be used if there are no holes.
5. Gloves in the clean section kept in a zip-lock bag
6. Newspaper

PROCEDURE

1. Transport the nursing bag on a clean surface in the car.
2. When in the patient's home, place the bag on a clean surface. If there is no suitable clean surface
available, place the bag on a newspaper.
3. If the home is infested, supplies should be kept in a disposable, zip-lock bag.
4. Open the dirty section and remove the paper towel, soap, and cleansing supplies; place on paper
towel or newspaper. If there will be soiled dressing or other items considered infectious waste, take
out a garbage bag unless the patient will be providing.
5. Close the nursing bag.
6. Wash hands using the hand washing procedure. Keep soap and gel on barrier.
7. Open the clean section, remove supplies, and place on the barrier. Plastic containers or zip-lock bags
should be left in the nursing bag.
8. Close the nursing bag.
9. Apply personal protective equipment as needed.
10. After equipment is used, place back on the barrier. Soiled dressing supplies should be placed in a
plastic bag and disposed of in the patient's trash. If drainage is contaminated with infectious
drainage, take the double bagged garbage to the outside trash receptacle. To discard a disposable
gown, remove by folding the exposed side inward.
11. If the bag must be entered again during the visit, wash hands or use gel if hands are not visibly soiled
(refer to hand washing guidelines).
12. Sharps containers are considered dirty and must be kept in a non-permeable container. They should
never be kept in the nursing bag. Sharps containers may be left in the patient's home if they will be
re-used.
13. When the visit is completed, clean all equipment. The stethoscope and thermometer may be cleaned
with an alcohol wipe; the blood pressure cuff should be cleaned with an antiseptic wipe or spray.
14. Return clean supplies to nursing bag and close clean section.
15. Wash hands.
16. Replace cleaning supplies and close dirty section.
17. When leaving the patient's home, pick up the bag and place the newspaper in the patient's trash.
18. All supplies must be kept in the car in a plastic or cardboard container in a designated clean area of
the car, preferably the trunk. Do not leave temperature-sensitive equipment in the car