Need advice!

[AmandaJeanIngram]

Urg. I'm a private duty home health care pediatric nurse. I take care of a 2 year old. I'm in her home 3 - 4 days a week at 12 hours each day. This house has roaches. I need advice on how not to get them in my house or in my car (she has them in her car too). I already change my clothes in the laundry room as soon as I get home(I libe 30 mins away from my patient) and put them straight into the wash. But what about my shoes? And how do I not get them in my car? Lately A LOT of itty bitty baby ones are crawling on me, in my shoes even though I don't take them off, on my clothes and everywhere. I don't know how to avoid getting an investation in my car like her or to my house. I only bring in a gallon zip lock bag that I keep sealed all day. Please help. I don't know what to do.

[nurseprnRN, BSN, RN]

I suppose you could keep a can of Raid in your car and spray your shoes before you get in, even put your shoes in a bag before you get into the car.

However, a good nontoxic roach killer is good ol' 20 Mule Team borax, ten bucks a big box at your grocery store. Sprinkle it in your car, around floorboards, in rugs and upholstered furniture, and in kitchen cabinets. It is not poisonous to people or pets and your great-grandmother used it every spring to kill carpet beetles and silverfish. I use it every spring to keep my house free of fleas all year (the cats bring them in). Scuff into the rugs, under the sofa cushions and such, and broom it around the cracks and baseboards, and leave it for four or five days. Then you can vacuum normally. Or not, as the case may be. Repeat next March or April and q6 months. Perhaps your client would appreciate this knowledge. Bring a box and tell them it will help.

Only precaution: Cover any electronics to protect them from the dust while you're brooming it and scuffing it around.

[AmandaJeanIngram]

The mom says she tries, she has gotten professionals in but she sits around plays on her phone.

[SDALPN]

Sounds like you do private duty nursing, not home health nursing. Home health nurses do visits, PDN is shifts.

Its a health issue. If she's in an apartment or rental, the owner is responsible. If she owns, she is responsible. Notify your supervisor and the case manager. Its not a healthy work environment and its not healthy or safe for the kid. I've seen roaches crawl towards trachs. Sometimes even agencies will pay for an exterminator. Some agencies set aside money for things like this if the family can't afford it.

[caliotter3]

I also work in extended care home health and have encountered roach infested homes. One was so bad that I considered leaving the case, but the client decided to do something about the problem and the situation became barely bearable for me. Always be on the lookout and keep a can of spray around. Inspect your clothing and belongings when you get home or before you get in the car. Only take the most necessary items into the home. If you see them in your home, don't hesitate to use the foggers or have the professionals come in if it becomes necessary. If it gets to be too much and nobody but you seems to be concerned, look for a new case. Your employer can't force you to work there.