The Vanguard Patient Overnight Bag

You may have read in the news recently about the “Red Bag”, otherwise known as the Openhouse Vanguard Patient Overnight […]

You may have read in the news recently about the “Red Bag”, otherwise known as the Openhouse Vanguard Patient Overnight Bag. This simplistic piece of kit has been designed to make the transfer of patients efficient by keeping vital information about their health conditions, supplies of medicine, and a change of clothes for when they are ready to be discharged.

“A ‘strikingly simple’ method of improving care”

Viccie Nelson, Care Home Director at NHS Sutton CCG, said: “Since we’ve carried out the red bag initiative, we’ve had positive feedback from both care home staff and residents’ families. It has improved communication, speeded up the transfer, and reduced the number of calls that the hospital makes to the home from around 5 or 6 for each resident to just 1.

“At Sutton, we’ve focused on improving the quality of care for those in care homes. NICE guidelines have helped this project by to showcasing best practice and providing neutral territory for us as an organisation to agree on good quality care.”

“This can help improve a person’s experience of care and their quality of life”

Professor Gillian Leng, Deputy Chief Executive of NICE, and Director of Health and Social Care, added: “It is important that people experience a smooth and timely transition from hospital back to their care home or own home. This can help improve a person’s experience of care and their quality of life. It also eases pressure on hospitals and avoids people becoming caught in a ‘revolving door of care’ when they get readmitted to hospital.

“Sutton’s red bag approach is an innovative way tackling these problems, yet is striking in its simplicity. We wish them success in their project, and look forward to seeing further results as it progresses.”

The bag features top grab handles for ease of carrying. A clear business card sized window for a patient name card. Clear document sleeve on the rear for patient report form and are consecutively numbered for easy identification and security.

The Vanguard Patient Overnight Bag can be manufactured in a variety of 8 different colours using our unique micAgard™ material. A single colour and simple print of your choice is included in the above cost although other branding options are available including reflective high frequency welded badges to accommodate logos.

The Red Bag is priced at £59.11 inc. VAT. We offer discounts based on the quantity ordered. Click here to learn more.