What is in your bag?

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Specializes in Med/Surg, Geri, Ortho, Telemetry, Psych.

hello guys. i have been an lpn for almost 12 years, mostly med/surg and geriatrics. just took a new job in home health. i'd like your advice on what kind of stuff to take with me everwhere i go, in my bag. besides my stethescope of course. what do you all think? also, i'm thinking i should buy a blackberry so i have internet access. at facilities, i always have books and internet to use for reference, i'm a little nervous about being out somewhere and not being able to look anything up. what do you all suggest?

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Specializes in OB, M/S, HH, Medical Imaging RN.

Stethopscope, Spigmominometer, Digital Thermometer and probe covers, Pulse Ox monitor, antiseptiic hand wash, spill kit, goggles, sharps container, antibacterial soap, blue chux, antibacterial wipes that kill staph, gloves, paper gown, several paper masks, assorted tapes, steri-strips, sterile 2x2's and 4x4's, abdominal pads, syringes, needles, venipuncture supplies, biohazard bag to transport blood/urine to lab, border gauze, dermagran, polymin, alcohol swabs, sterile urine cup. red plastic hazardous garbage bags. NS flush, Hep-lock flush. I think that covers it. My bag has 4 sections clean, dirty, and 2 for supplies.

We won't go into what's in the trunk!

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Specializes in Med/Surg, Geri, Ortho, Telemetry, Psych.
Stethopscope, Spigmominometer, Digital Thermometer and probe covers, Pulse Ox monitor, antiseptiic hand wash, spill kit, goggles, sharps container, antibacterial soap, blue chux, antibacterial wipes that kill staph, gloves, paper gown, several paper masks, assorted tapes, steri-strips, sterile 2x2's and 4x4's, abdominal pads, syringes, needles, venipuncture supplies, biohazard bag to transport blood/urine to lab, border gauze, dermagran, polymin, alcohol swabs, sterile urine cup. red plastic hazardous garbage bags. NS flush, Hep-lock flush. I think that covers it. My bag has 4 sections clean, dirty, and 2 for supplies.

We won't go into what's in the trunk!

What???? Where in the hell am I supposed to get all this? Jeez, how much is this going to cost me? Great.:eek:

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Specializes in OB, M/S, HH, Medical Imaging RN.

The agency should supply everything including the bag itself and most always a cell phone and a laptop/tablet/handheld PC so that you have access to any patients complete chart, Dr. numbers, etc and the internet.

In the trunk you should have a large covered plastic box with various wound supplies, different size catheters for both straight cath and foleys, enema supplies, IV supplies, Sterile gloves, suture and staple removal kits, etc....you get the idea. These also supplied by the agency. You may feel like a traveling supply room

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Specializes in Med/Surg, Geri, Ortho, Telemetry, Psych.
The agency should supply everything including the bag itself and most always a cell phone and a laptop/tablet/handheld PC so that you have access to any patients complete chart, Dr. numbers, etc and the internet.

In the trunk you should have a large covered plastic box with various wound supplies, different size catheters for both straight cath and foleys, enema supplies, IV supplies, Sterile gloves, suture and staple removal kits, etc....you get the idea. These also supplied by the agency. You may feel like a traveling supply room

Thank you so much Dutchgirl. I was going crazy for a little while thinking I was going to have to rob the local walgreens. Like I said, I'm new at this and I really haven't recieved alot of info yet from the employer. You better believe I will be calling tomorrow morning and asking about all of this. Thanks again.;)

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thanks for the info. I am really interested in home health just for the opportunity to be like a traveling vet or country doc. (Too many years reading James Herriots stories.) Making the rounds really appeals to my sense of adventure.

:lol2:

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Specializes in Gerontology, Med surg, Home Health.

I have so many supplies in my trunk I can't fit any groceries in there!

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i try to keep only the "essentials" in my bag, as it gets way tooooooooooo heavy, but that trunk has everything except the kitchen sink in it, you only need to run out of something once!!! i agree it is hard to fit groceries in the trunk

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Specializes in Med/Surg, Geri, Ortho, Telemetry, Psych.

Well I will be driving my minivan so hopefully I will still be able to fit some groceries in there.:lol2:

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Specializes in MICU, Endo, HH.
I have so many supplies in my trunk I can't fit any groceries in there!

I forget sometimes that the car is actually for MY use also!!!!:uhoh3:

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I was going crazy for a little while thinking I was going to have to rob the local walgreens.

I'll drive the getaway car!

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I always carry my small paperback refs (hh, skills, charting, etc.) and other reading material related to my case. I also make certain that I have current copies of the 485 and med sheets and a supply of blank forms for my charting. Of course I have my food supply. It is also a good idea to carry a change of clothing, including shoes, in a plastic bag in the car. I've had to change my clothes a few times. One of my friends used to have milk crates in her car filled with everything imaginable. Make sure you have things for personal emergency: cell phone charger, money for transportation in case something happens to your car, feminine hygiene goodies (another reason for a change of clothes!), any personal meds you may need, current list of all important phone numbers.

You don't have to carry all of this orificenal into the home. As long as it is in your car, you know you have it available.

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