Standard Precautions Not Required?

[student2005]

I'm not sure where this question should go, but it has been weighing on my mind.

I just finished clinicals for CNA, however the facility where my clinicals were held had an issue with bed bugs. The facility knew the client came from a home with these critters. The client was already on isolation due to another issue, so the correct precautions were taken for that, however no one was notified nor warned that bed bugs could be an issue with this particular client. Shoe coverings were not advised.

At the end of my clinicals a bug was discovered on the exact day the client was released from isolation due to the other issue - the big was discovered during a meal time. Client was sent back to isolation following the meal - was allowed to sit with other clients for the meal.

Client's mattress was removed from room that afternoon by housekeeping - mattress was transported on an open cart through multiple halls and was not enclosed in a biohazard bag. It was put into the trash bin outside the facility.

I've got a family of my own and I'm infuriated that no one was warned. I've had an exterminator out to evaluate my own home. I just spent $40 doing 6 loads of laundry at the laundromat due to this because I have no idea if I now have these bugs.

I know for a fact bedbugs were confirmed by a professional.

What are other facility's precautions when bed bugs are a known issue for a client?

[dishes, BSN, RN]

What did the exterminator find when he checked you home? I hope you used precautions when you did your six loads of laundry at the laundromat because that's a place where bed bugs can spread.

[student2005]

He thankfully found nothing at my house, unfortunately I've got extreme paranoia now. He said he'd come back in 3-4 wks if I was still concerned.

And yeah, I definitely thought about that at the laundromat. :/

Are employees usually notified about the possibility of bedbugs on a client of the client is coming from a home that had them?

I am not sure what steps were taken when the client was initially admitted into the facility.

[Alex Egan, LPN, EMT-B]

Bed bugs are tricky business. I would be very sure that they didn't remove the infestation by simply getting rid of the mattresses. Infact I'm sure it's already in other rooms in the facility. I work as a camp nurse and have written about the bugs in the camp setting, here's the article. Bed Bugs and Camp Nurses — Campfire Nursing

it has some general information. I would leave shoes and bags that you take to work outside, or bag them while in your home.

[OscarTheOwl]

I don't think an exterminator would find much if this just happened. I would think the colonization process would take some time, not an expert on bed bugs though.