Fewer Hospitals Could Mean More Bed Bugs at Your Facility

Did you know that as local hospitals close, the possibility of patients bringing more pests to regional hospitals goes up? You may be asking why. It’s because when people travel – specifically for overnight trips – they are more susceptible to encountering bed bugs in settings like hotels or motels where guests are quite transient. Often, bed bugs may be brought into healthcare settings on the personal belongings of patients and their families.

Unfortunately, this could become a bigger problem as indicators are showing that nearly 300 rural hospitals in 39 states are at risk of closing due to financial instability, according to Becker’s Hospital Review. And, it’s not just people in rural areas who are looking further afield for healthcare. A new survey from PwC shows 46 percent of respondents are willing to travel greater distances for best-in-field care. That means your staff will need to be on the lookout for pests that can travel on clothing or favorite pillows, and the number one culprit is bed bugs.

Always address bed bug problems as soon as they’re sighted at your healthcare settings. Download Bed Bugs 101 for Long-Term Care Professionals for more information on how to help manage bed bugs immediately upon sighting them.