how do your organize your "stuff"?

Specialties Home Health

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Specializes in education,LTC, orthopedics, LTACH.

I am new to home health (hospice). I am an avid scrapbooker who attends several retreats/crops each year,(bear with me, they are related) and there is soooo much stuff to cart around. It is always fascinating how people organize this. So you home health nurses, how do you organize? What all do you make sure to have with you at all times? I am seriously thinking of buying this roller bag. With my accrued coca cola points I can get it for $185 which is a great deal. Maybe I will get one for scrapbooking too! What does all the experienced nurses think? Words of wisdom? Photos?

http://www.ebags.com/product/vera-bradley/22-expandable-upright-mocha-rouge/220625?productid=10150656

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The issue I see with it is that a HH nurse's bag should never touch a surface unprotected.

The agencie's I've worked for (including the 2 I'm with now) don't allow rolling bags for just that reason.

As a home health nurse it wouldn't fit my needs, it's got a single compartment so no clean side/dirty side, no real pockets for organizing, no seperate compartment for my sharps container (which is required by OSHA). And I say this with all kindness, it's pretty but you could pick up the same thing at Walmart for $20. Your bag also needs to have a lockable compartment for HIPAA compliance.

I've been using this one for years and love it, I won't carry another bag.

Hopkins ExL Shoulder Bag | Hopkins Medical Products From the dimensions it looks like it would be a monster but it only weighs 3 pounds empty and that is NOT because it's cheap or flimsy fabric. The manufacturer goes above and beyond in terms of customer service and satisfaction. They replaced one *I* broke the zipper on due to my own negligence, 100% for free. I didn't even have to pay for shipping.

They make a similar version that is wheeled: Rolling Med Bag with EZ View Features | Hopkins Medical Products if your employer will let you use a wheeled back I really encourage you to try it, I really don't think you'll be disappointed.

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I am new to home health (hospice). I am an avid scrapbooker who attends several retreats/crops each year,(bear with me, they are related) and there is soooo much stuff to cart around. It is always fascinating how people organize this. So you home health nurses, how do you organize? What all do you make sure to have with you at all times? I am seriously thinking of buying this roller bag. With my accrued coca cola points I can get it for $185 which is a great deal. Maybe I will get one for scrapbooking too! What does all the experienced nurses think? Words of wisdom? Photos?

http://www.ebags.com/product/vera-bradley/22-expandable-upright-mocha-rouge/220625?productid=10150656

I use ebags Downloader Laptop bag item 3497, and I love it.

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Specializes in education,LTC, orthopedics, LTACH.

thanks for the input. I didn't really think of all those considerations. I appreciate all the thought you put into your answer. I will check out the suggestions. Thanks again!

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I use a 3 compartment bag supplied by my agency, and bought a luggage cart and bungee cord to secure my stuff. The bag never touches any surface. I can put my laptop bag on there too, and hang a small sharps box bag from the cart handle as well. Make sure to get a cart with a curved handle at the top, you can balance your laptop on there if needed.

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I agree with kids completely - that bag from ebags is by no means the right fit for an hh nurse. It's just a travel bag - no exterior pockets, not proper interior compartments to separate and organize stuff and it's kind of bulky. When selecting a bag i think you need to be asking these questions: how would I organize my equipment, disposables, sanitizing items that I need quick access to? Would i be able to put this bag on a table or chair when visiting (for instance we are specifically instructed not to put our bags on floor even with a barrier). Does this bag allow for easy and thorough cleaning (very important - and i can see right away that there could be problems with cleaining that bag due to its design and material) Overall i think you need to be looking for a professional bag that is designed/indended for the job you do - there are plenty of options Ex: http://www.travelnursedatabank.com/travel-nursing/top-10-medical-bags-for-home-healthcare-nurses/ I had a backpack bag from Nursemates and I was also looking at the Hopkins bag that kids mentioned but couldn't find enough reviews on it at that time so i went with the modular nurses bag from nursesbag.com. Here it is:

nursebag.jpg

Modular Nurses Bag for Home Health Care Nurses

Superior bag - fits all the equipment and stuff nicely (has a pocket for everything), made of a material that is water resistant and that cleans very easily (though gets dirty quickly too) - great for infection control, prevention of bed bugs, cockroaches, etc Easy to carry too, i'm pretty happy with it. Hope this helps

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Specializes in Geriatrics, Developmental Disablities.

I love the bags from Hopkins Medical Products. Been doing home health since 2008 an mine orignal bag is still going strong an I work full time an on call so it gets a lot of use

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Specializes in Home Health, MS, Oncology, Case Manageme.

My Hopkins bag is as good as new after 11 years. Highly recommend their bags!

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