Bed Bug Protocol for Hospitals and Healthcare Facilities

Seeing one to a few bed bugs in a healthcare setting may cause alarm that there is an infestation present, but likely this is just an introduction of bed bugs and can be managed if addressed expeditiously. This protocol provides guidelines for Integrated Integrated Pest Management (IPM) best practices for bed bug control in hospitals and healthcare facilities.

If there is a report of bed bugs, but no bed bugs are found:

1. Notify staff and log the report in the system.
2. Call Environmental Services (EVS) to clean the room.
   • Thoroughly vacuum the room, focusing on cracks and crevices.
     

     Use vacuums with disposable dust bags. Immediately after use for bed bug mitigation, vacuums need to be cleaned and dust bags sealed and discarded to prevent the transfer of bugs to other areas.

   • Deep clean the room.

     Focus on mattresses, furniture, drawers, curtains, and behind wall hangings.

3. Routinely inspect the patient and room for signs of bed bugs and live bed bugs.

If there is a report of bed bugs, and bed bugs are found:

1. Notify the housekeeping and nursing supervisors immediately and log the report in the system.

2. Collect potential bed bugs in a sealed container and save them for ID by your pest management professional.

3. If in an occupied room, have the patient shower and put on clean hospital-distributed clothes. Place their clothes and personal items in a sealed plastic bag. Move patient to a new room.

4. Close the affected room/area with signage (Do Not Enter).

5. Call Environmental Services (EVS) to clean the room.

   • Staff person gowns up and also places disposable booties on feet.

   • Remove all trash and double bag it.

   • Remove linen and double bag.

   • Remove curtain and double bag.

   • Room is to be terminally cleaned with either alcohol, in-house disinfectant, disinfectant wipes, or steam cleaner.

   • After the room/area is cleaned, pest management company is to be called for inspection and treatment as needed of room before it is reopened.

References:

Bed Bugs in Medical Facilities - U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

Procedure for Bed Bug Management - UConn Health

Bed Bug Procedure - The University of Toledo Medical Center

Vacuuming to Capture Bed Bugs - University of Minnesota Extension

Using Steamers to Kill Bed Bugs - University of Minnesota Extension