No Patience for Pests?
Protect Your Patients with IPM and Sanitation

By Frank Meek, B.C.E., Technical Director, Orkin, Inc.

In such a highly regulated and sensitive industry as healthcare, patient and staff welfare are paramount. When patients enter your healthcare facility, they expect the best care and attention possible, while your employees expect a safe working environment. The last thing any of them should need to worry about is an unsanitary environment created by disease-carrying pests or an unhealthy environment created by chemicals used to control those pests.

As an infection control professional, you know the presence of even one pest within your facility is unacceptable. Flies and cockroaches can quickly spread disease-causing pathogens like E. Coli, Shigella and Salmonella while some rodents can carry Hantavirus and other diseases. On the flip side, you don’t want to use chemical treatments that pose a health concern for your patients and staff. Fortunately, you can help ensure your facility has a sterile, pest-free environment by implementing a comprehensive Integrated Pest Management (IPM) program.

Centered on non-chemical methods, IPM provides a long-term pest prevention solution that protects your most vulnerable populations – children, elderly, pregnant women and patients with weakened immune systems. IPM is a holistic approach that emphasizes understanding the reasons why pests enter healthcare facilities – namely the search for food, water and shelter.

Sanitation is a fundamental component of IPM because it eliminates the very food, water and shelter sources pests seek out. In addition, it protects patients and staff by reducing the need for reactive chemical treatments. Simple pest prevention practices can be incorporated into your existing daily facility maintenance and sanitation routines. Here are some common pest “hot spots” you’ll find in a healthcare facility and sanitation tips for each:

Kitchen and cafeterias:
Food and moisture are abundant in food preparation and dining areas, perhaps the “hottest” pest zones in healthcare facilities.

• Clean up immediately any food and liquid spills to prevent hungry pests from infesting your kitchen and cafeterias and potentially harming your patients and staff.
• Inspect appliances and machinery on a regular basis and repair moisture leaks as soon as possible to eliminate standing water.
• Store mops and brooms off the floor to keep moisture, dust and other particles from accumulating on the floor and further attracting pests.

Employee break areas:
Healthcare employees’ busy schedules may not always allow them time to clean up after a quick meal, but even leaving a tiny crumb on the table or floor will attract pests in search of food.

• Remind your employees that pests only need crumbs to survive and that taking a few minutes to clean up after their meal will ensure the break areas stay pest-free.
• Keep all food storage containers tightly sealed.
• Dispose of trash properly and make sure trash can lids are properly sealed.

Laundry facilities:
Pests seek out the laundry room for its moisture and heat. In addition, particles on dirty laundry can be a food source for pests, especially cockroaches.

• Ensure that drains are covered and in good repair to keep small flies from taking shelter.
• Consider using organic drain cleaner to keep drains clog-free and pest-free.
• Make sure doors fit tightly and any cracks and crevices around windows and doors are caulked with weather-resistant sealant to eliminate all possible pest entry points.

Waste areas:
Dumpsters and other waste disposal areas can easily become pests’ favorite feeding and breeding spots.

• Line indoor and outdoor garbage containers to eliminate residues and leave pests without the means for survival.
• Empty all trash containers daily; letting trash pile up will make it easy for pests to find food and shelter.
• Locate dumpsters as far away from building as possible and rotate and clean them frequently.

In order for these sanitation practices and the entire IPM program to be most effective in eliminating and preventing pests in the long run, employee training is necessary. Involve your entire staff in the sanitation efforts and ask them to keep an eye out for unsanitary conditions that could attract pests. With the daily commitment of employees, integrating IPM into your facility’s existing maintenance program will ensure a healthy, pest-free environment and allow everyone to focus on what matters more: the livelihood of your patients and staff.

Frank Meek is Technical Director for Orkin, Inc. As a board-certified entomologist and a 20 plus year industry veteran, he is an acknowledged leader in the field of pest management. Contact Frank Meek at fmeek@rollins.com or visit www.orkincommerical.com. Visit www.HealthcarePestControl.com to take a pest control self-assessment and download free training resources.