Bed Bugs. HELP!

Here.I.Stand, BSN, RN · Jul 30, 2016

They have confirmed bed bugs, but the exterminator hasn't been there?? I'd be more concerned about the residents whose beds are infested, than about staff safety to be honest. You're helping the residents into and out of bed at most...Bed bugs aren't in the toilets or sinks.

As far as I know, they don't carry diseases, just give annoying little bites. (Someone please correct me if I'm wrong!) And they are not invisible. Just like in rural areas we're taught as kids to check our bodies for ticks, you can see if you have any on you.

If it makes you feel better, by all means wear an iso gown or whatever your facility's standard is. I would not walk off a job over it.

I would however, call the ombudsman if an exterminator hasn't been scheduled.

Here.I.Stand, BSN, RN · Jul 30, 2016

On one resident it was such a severe infestation that the bugs were on his body during the daytime.

I missed this part -- that is unacceptable. That poor man!!

NurseOnAMotorcycle, ASN, RN · Jul 30, 2016

Same PPE/isolation as for pt with lice or scabies.

I would ask housekeeping if they have heard if anything is being done then step it up from there. Also I would prob institute a full clothing change protocol at my own house to make sure I don't bring it home.

Zyprexa_Ho · Jul 30, 2016

Thanks for the comments. I'm worried about infesting my entire home and my job not paying for it. I don't have thousands of dollars hanging around. Also, if I get it, it could spread to other residents more easily.

The thing I'm worried about for just a gown, gloves, and foot covers is that the bugs can crawl 5 feet in one minute... so it seems like that is not enough.

I have definitely instituted some safety measures at home. I always leave my shoes outside no matter what, and I have been double bagging all my clothes when I come home. I'm also worried about them infesting my car so when I get in my car in normal clothes I could bring them in my house when I don't bag my normal clothes.

A neighbor recommended diatomaceous earth. I think I'm going to put that in my car and my bed as a precaution.

I have been checking myself for bugs, but I'm worried about them hiding inside my clothing (pockets, etc.) and shoes where I can't see them as well.

Thanks for the input

Zyprexa_Ho · Aug 1, 2016

Bump.

NurseGirl525, ASN, RN · Aug 1, 2016

Why have they not contacted an exterminator? I would call the health dept if your facility is not dealing with this properly. I did my first clinical rotation in an LTC. They had a small bed bug problem. What happens is family members end up bringing them in when they visit. All of our belongings had to be kept in clear garbage bags while we were there. It took a few weeks for the entire treatment to be completed but it was and there was an all clear.

We had family bring them into our hospital, on our unit. The patient was placed in isolation, the family member was not allowed back in, and the exterminator was called. They sprayed our waiting room as well.

Im angry it seems that your facility is doing nothing about this. They should be protecting their residents and employees.

cardiacfreak, ADN · Aug 1, 2016

Is anybody else itchy right now? :yuck:

verene, MSN · Aug 1, 2016

Ugg bed bugs are horrible and you are right to fear bringing them home. I worked in a facility that had bed bugs and while and exterminator did come out and treat I still somehow brought them home. Even with my landlord willing to pay part of the cost of treatment I was still out close to a couple grand by the end of it all. (Had to buy a new bed in addition to treatment costs and the mountain of laundry).

It seems the only really effective thing is to clean all the time! And be very aware of cross contamination risk. Do not set your personal belongings down directly on floor or furniture at work, keep them wrapped in plastic. Cover your car seat in plastic, and change clothing before entering home (or even before getting into your car if there is a way to change and not get recontaminated on the way out). Keep your work laundry sealed in plastic at home and wash it with hot water and dry on hot cycle of the dryer.

You can get detectors in your home and traps as well. This can prevent infestation if you do bring one/some home. The traps that fit on the feet of a bed a fairly effective.

BittyBabyGrower, MSN, RN · Aug 1, 2016

If we have patients parents/family with bedbugs they have to be cleared before they can visit. If the mom is on the floor all belongings are double bagged, she has to shower and family can not bring anything from home.

In in our unit they are not allowed to bring in clothes, blankets, car seats, etc. Social work gets a county worker involved and if they are renting they go after the landlord to fumigate. We will not discharge a baby to a family who has not had their house/apartment de-bugged.

If if we have an infestation we move all the babies to

new beds after stripping them and washing them, all belongings are bagged and housekeeping and the exterminators move in.

Ugh. Bugs give me the jeebies!

AtlantaRn1 · Jul 3, 2017

I'm dealing with this same situation currently. I will never place my bag on anything without a chux barrier ever again.

allnurses Guide · Jul 4, 2017

I really need some help with this bed bug issue at my facility.
First, I have some questions. I have been trying to locate authoritative sources about bed bugs, proper PPE, etc to no avail. It doesnt seem that the CDC is terribly concerned about bed bugs as they are mostly just a pest and don't really spread disease.
Should residents who have confirmed cases of bed bugs be isolated? We have residents with confirmed bed bug infestations going out of their rooms to dinner, etc. On one resident it was such a severe infestation that the bugs were on his body during the daytime. Shouldn't he be isolated?
What is the proper PPE for going in a bed bug infested room? Gown, gloves, and foot covers? Coveralls? I read that adult bed bugs can crawl up to five feet in one minute. Shouldn't we at least have coveralls then?
Please help! I think I may be fired or have to quit my job if I go in tomorrow and refuse to care for residents without proper PPE.

Report this to the health department - Bed bug infestation is reportable under Title XXII and you facility can be cited and even closed down for not addressing this aggressively. All belonging as well as bedding, linins and clothing need to be thrown out (not just washed) the mattresses have got to go too. Then the room needs to be cleaned by a professional and new furniture and bedding brought in.

Hppy