Singing the Bed Bug Blues

In case you haven’t noticed, the bed bug predicament isn’t going away. Just this month pest experts from all over gathered in Washington, D.C. for the Second Annual National Bed Bug Summit, which included officials from the EPA, the CDC, the Department of Agriculture, Department of Defense, and the National Institutes of Health—all putting their heads together to figure out how to deal with the persistent pests. Clearly, Houston, we have a problem.

From houses to colleges to five-star hotels, bed bugs have made themselves at home all across the country…and not just ours. Word has it they ousted some 80 or so Canadian athletes from their dorms in Tatamagouche recently where they were preparing for the Canada Winter Games, and infestations are on the rise in Asia, Africa, Eastern Europe and Australia.

So what does all this have to do with the post-acute care industry? Well, the thing about bed bugs is they like to hang out in beds (as well as sheets, pillows, mattresses, and similar warm and cozy places). And the thing about beds is there are a lot of them in places like skilled nursing facilities, hospitals and hospice facilities—not to mention the homes and apartments visited frequently by home health providers. Which makes the current Bed Bug Comeback Tour particularly concerning for healthcare professionals.

Now more than ever, caregivers need to be aware of the health hazards involved with bed bugs, as well as the how to prevent a possible infestation. Facility owners and administrators have a responsibility to educate staff members as well as residents, patients, family members and anyone else who may be at risk. For tips on how to spot bed bugs as well as prevent an infestation, check out our helpful video, and stay tuned to Care2Learn for more on the battle against bed bugs!