Home environment-infestations

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Specializes in Home health PEDS.

I've been working with my agency for 3 years now. Just started back this week after a year off after having my son. I am on a new case working Monday through Friday. I like the case but the home is INFESTED with roaches. There's always 2-3 on the countertop/sink area usually more than 5 though. They crawl on the walls and floors. OMG I hate roaches!! Is this something you typically report to the agency? I have been a home health nurse for 7 years but never had this issue so I'm not sure how to handle this. I know it's a health risk for sure. Patient's mom said she is too embarrassed to ask landlord to spray. I told her (nicely) she should  and that's a common landlord duty and she shouldn't feel embarrassed to try and encourage her to do something about it. 

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Specializes in oncology.

Decades ago when I was in graduate school, I took a home health assignment that seemed to have a revolving door of RNs. I found out why...roaches everywhere, some were crawling across a lighted bulb. I worried about bringing a roach or two home, so only brought my things into the house in a clear plastic bag. I never sat on upholstered furniture. Finally I just worried too much....so I did call the agency. The home owner who was not the patient said something to me about "somebody called about the roaches." I worked out the days I had committed to and never looked back.. 

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Specializes in retired LTC.

Yes, you should report the situation to your agency. The landlord IS responsible for pest control. And it is a health risk for your client. (I have this crazy fear of cockroaches crawling into ears - it IS a big dx for ER visits!)

I just never wanted to bring cockroaches home, so I had an elaborate ruse to shake the bugs from my belongings. It was a guise that I was looking for my car keys. 

Just know there can be any kind of critter infestation, like mice, bedbugs, a wasp nest, etc. They MUST be reported as they need to be eradicated.

 

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Specializes in Home health PEDS.

Thank you for the input! Right after posting this the exterminators knocked on my patient's door. Unfortunately there was a scheduling mishap so they won't be able to spray until 2 weeks from now. I also reported it to my agency. Hopefully this gets better. Today those roaches were on the dining table and chair!! I make sure to dust myself off before getting in my car and shaking my backpack. I don't want to bring them home! 

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Specializes in retired LTC.

Just a thought - is it an apartment??? Sometimes one tenant is very clean, but it's a neighboring tenant's unit that's buggy. Everybody's unit needs to be treated - else the bugs just run & hide!

The Bug Exterm Co knows this - good for them as they make more money. So hopefully, any other units will be treated too.

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Specializes in Home Health.

I keep a couple puppy pads in my bag to lay stuff down and sit. 

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