Home Health Bags

caliotter3 · Mar 4, 2007

I have used backpacks for yrs, also have occasionally used a messenger bag, as well as a tote bag I got free from a store. One or more of the above. But I always carry my backpack. I have a home hlth backpack, and an everyday backpack. Some of this is a leftover from nrsg school, I was a long distance commuter, so I left the house every day prepared for everything. Some of it is a leftover from being a nomad when my car was literally, instead of just figuratively, my home. A lot of my co-workers in home health will leave a bag at the client's house (they have "semipermanent" schedules there), with their personal stuff that they use. My agency used to give out goodies with their logo free to us nurses (Maxim). These were small bags like you are interested in. One was a nice insulated lunch pack. Another was kind of heart shaped which was good for your steth, bp cuff, etc. So if you want free gear get on with Maxim!

CritterLover, BSN, RN · Mar 4, 2007

i don't do home health nursing anymore, so i'm not sure what kinds of "nursing" bags are out there, but i personally always liked to use diaper bags.

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[color=#483d8b]they come in a variety of sizes, a variety of styles (many don't scream "diaper bag" :) ) and have plenty of pockets.

AnnieOaklyRN, BSN, RN, EMT-P · Mar 5, 2007

I am not a home health nurse, but while paroosing www.Allheart.com I saw a nice one for 35.00 on clearence. You may want to try there.

Swtooth

amomanurse · Mar 5, 2007

I am in HH but I do not take my bag inside a home......the "rule" is if you take it in and put it down it cant come out so how is it you guys take in a bag anyway??

caliotter3 · Mar 5, 2007

I was taught that you place your bag down on a "barrier". I use medium sized plastic garbage bags to place my bag on.

CapeCodMermaid, RN · Mar 6, 2007

I was wondering if any of you would mind telling me where you get your nursing bags to tote all your equiptment and supplies for your visits? First one I bought when I started home health last year was a laptop bag I got at the local Walmart, I think I got the biggest one they had, but now I want something smaller and more effiecient to take with me.
Was hoping to gain some insight from the fellow nurses on what works best for you.
Look forward to any suggestion you have.
Thanks!

I just got the latest catalogue from JASCO uniforms...you can look at it online...there is a beautiful nursing bag in it...about $29.00...sure looks better than the one my company gives us to use.

Home Health Columnist / Guide · Mar 6, 2007

I've puchased 2 Hopkins Medical HHbags

http://www.hopkinsmedicalproducts.com/category.jsp?path=-1&id=2756

Re taking bag inside, I use wax paper under bag---cheap and easy to dispose. I also stash grocery store bags inside bag to use for soiled dressings or barrier too. Homes that are dirty or no place to place bag, sling over side of chair or on doorknob--- worst homes have them. If known problem home, just bring in BP kit and paperwork....even leave coat in car.

charebec65 · Mar 6, 2007

I hope this link works but this is the one I have. It's pretty roomy and is heavy canvas. I really like it.

I do HH but work with the same patient on a regular basis so I just take it back and forth with me.

http://www.allheart.com/ae101508.html

CapeCodMermaid, RN · Mar 9, 2007

I am in HH but I do not take my bag inside a home......the "rule" is if you take it in and put it down it cant come out so how is it you guys take in a bag anyway??

Do you leave your coat in the car? Unless the person had MRSA in his sputum or TB or something really nasty, I bring the bag. The company policy is to set the bag down on a hard, clean surface and if we have to put it on something soft like the sofa, we are supposed to put it on a plastic bag or paper towel.

Home Health Columnist / Guide · Mar 9, 2007

Visiting nurse bags need to be made of material impervious to moisure, have at least three outside pockets for:

a. clean handwashing supplies

b. dirty supplies/sharps container

c. chart/papers

inside areas should have seperate sections for BP cuff/scope, wound supplies, cath supplies etc.

mimi_j · Mar 11, 2007

I just want to say how helpful everyone's posts here are. This would seem like such a trivial thing to anyone else but its real for the HH folks. I am attempting to start HH nursing thanks to the referral of one of my coworkers at the hospital who does it as a second job and really enjoys it.