Alas...bedbugs-precautions??

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Specializes in ER.

I know there are several threads on this already, but posting here for some fellow ER advice.

When they come via EMS and we don't realize the pt is heavily infested, we have already had contact during transfer, this is usually when we notice them.

And not in the people most suspect, but LOL's lately. Hoarders probably, most in federally subsidized housing.

At this point, I have likely brushed up against belongings. So, I may or may not go change my scrubs, depending on how crazy busy we are.

What other precautions are you all taking to prevent bringing them home, and what is your hospital policy on room turn around and terminal cleaning??

We don't even have doors in half the rooms anyway, so also concerned about the little devils traveling to the next room over.

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Can't say that I've had the distinct pleasure of confronting this particular situation! I'm curious to see some other replies!

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Specializes in ICU, Telemetry.

I....hate....bugs. We've had people with fleas, roaches (yeah, one of those running out of the patient's hair when you're moving them from the gurney to the bed will wake you up at 0300), scabies, lice, and maggots. But bedbugs worry me, because they like to get into the seams of clothing and bedding, according to the TV. Since they bite and draw blood, who knows what all they could transfer if they bit patient A and then bit patient B (or nurse ME, for that matter).

Now I'm scratching....

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Roaches....!!!!!

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For lice, blowdry your dry hair. Go over and over the head to make sure your whole head is hot. Fries the little bugs. Be careful not to burn your scalp.

I captured a louse once and blow dried it. Died within 2 sec. Don't know about other bugs.

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Our hospital policy for bed bugs is a terminal clean with pest control. We have to call a service to come in and spray/bomb the room. Then the room has to stay closed for 24 hours then is terminally cleaned. I'm not quite sure about our curtained rooms in the ER though. Hmmm?

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Specializes in ICU, Public Health.

Nasty! I can't stand bugs either.

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Specializes in Emergency & Trauma/Adult ICU.
Our hospital policy for bed bugs is a terminal clean with pest control. We have to call a service to come in and spray/bomb the room. Then the room has to stay closed for 24 hours then is terminally cleaned. I'm not quite sure about our curtained rooms in the ER though. Hmmm?

Really? You take an ER room out of service for at least 24 hours?

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Really? You take an ER room out of service for at least 24 hours?

Once you've brought those suckers into your home they are almost impossible to get rid of. The easiest way to rid your home of bedbugs is to burn it to the ground. Those suckers can live for months on a single bite. Fumigation and a weekend away won't do it.

You hit them hard and quick. We terminally clean the room, housekeeping sprays the room with something and we tape the door shut for 24 hours.

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Specializes in ER.

Currently, we close the room for a terminal clean, then housekeeping calls in some agency that brings whatever special equipment it is that they use, some sort of high powered heat device and a vacuum, and the room is out of use for 2 to 3 hours.

My concern is close contact before we even know pt. is infested, because in all honesty, I am not gonna be able to go shower and totally change everything I'm wearing, PLUS...yes, some rooms have doors, but I am sure the beasts fit underneath them with no sweat.

Some of these people (elderly especially) are coming in so massively infested that they are falling off the stretcher and you can literally see many of them crawling across the patient.

I guess I'll see what the hospital does the first time one of us sends them the bill from getting bedbugs at work and bringing them home. :lol2:

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