Do You Have Pest Control Down To A Science In Your Healthcare Facility?

As a healthcare professional, you know that an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. The same is true when it comes to pest management. Since pests are capable of spreading germs and diseases, it’s critical to take a proactive approach to preventing pests to help protect the health and safety of your patients, staff and entire healthcare environment.

The Importance of Pest Control in Healthcare Facilities

Healthcare facilities are prime targets for pests like ants, bed bugs, cockroaches, flies, mice, and rats due to the availability of nesting sites and food sources. These pests pose severe threats by spreading germs and diseases, which can compromise patient safety and the high standards of cleanliness required by law.

Common Pests and Their Risks

• Ants: Particularly Pharaoh ants, which can carry salmonella and streptococcus and have been known to enter open wounds or intravenous bottles.
• Cockroaches: Known to carry more than 30 different types of pathogens, including E.coli.
• Flies: Capable of carrying over 100 different disease-causing organisms, with some hospitals documenting fly larvae in open wounds.
• Rodents (Mice and Rats): Can gnaw through wiring, damaging medical equipment, and transmit bacterial and sometimes fatal viral infections.

Integrated Pest Management (IPM)

Orkin Canada’s IPM approach in healthcare facilities includes:

• Inspection: Comprehensive checks to identify pest-activity zones.
• Analysis: Facility layout analysis to note current and potential problem areas.
• Identification: Encouraging staff and patients to report pest sightings.
• Customization: Creating an integrated pest management program tailored specifically to the facility.
• Sanitation: Implementing a daily sanitation schedule focused on reducing specific risk factors.
• Treatment: Safe and humane treatment of pest infestations using eco-friendly products.
• Monitoring: Ongoing pest control monitoring and maintenance to ensure the problem has been eliminated.

Do you know how to identify the signs of pest activity, how they can access to your facility and what’s attracting them in the first place? Test your knowledge with our healthcare pest management quiz.