Quality Assurance and Performance Improvement
Concurrent Education Session - 60 minutes
Jill Hardy, RN, BSN
Infection Prevention and Control Nurse
The University of Kansas Health System
Olathe, Kansas
Nothing to disclose
Lance Williamson, BSN, RN, CIC
Infection Control Nurse
The University of Kansas Health System
Kansas City, Missouri
Nothing to disclose
Dana Piatek, MSN, RN, CIC
Manager, Infection Prevention
UPMC Horizon and UPMC Jameson
New Castle, Pennsylvania
Nothing to disclose
In 2007, the EPA and CDC officially declared bed bugs a public health pest as a response to the resurgence of bed bugs in the U.S. Bed bugs are not known for spreading disease, but they still have a significant impact on the day-to-day work of an IP. Management of these pests is a complex issue in the healthcare setting and the lack of a standardized approach to identification of bed bugs causes confusion, inconsistencies, and delayed patient care. The IP has a unique role in mitigating the risk for bed bug infestation and eliminating the negative social stigma for those affected.
This session shares a personal story of witnessing negative patient outcomes caused by bed bugs in the healthcare setting, and how this motivated the implementation of an integrated pest management (IPM) program. This session will focus on the IP’s perspective in the implementation of this program, and cover the key components, which include:
• implementing a policy and procedure reflecting best practices;
• education planning for staff to eliminate social stigma of bed bugs and how to recognize bed bugs;
• cultivating partnerships with key stakeholders within the organization and community; and
• embracing proactive vigilance as the number one defense against bed bugs.
Finally, we will share results of an IPM including impact of patient care, financial benefit, and efficient utilization of pest control services.