Can Hospital beds get bed bugs?

In the real sense, the hospital environment is no place for germs, bacteria, or insects to thrive. This is because the management of hospitals usually makes provisions for disinfectants and sterilizers to ensure that every item or equipment used is properly sanitized. This has become a necessary measure to limit the spread of infections and diseases among the hospital staff and patients. 

But unfortunately, these preventive measures are not enough in some cases, as there have been cases where patients have reported seeing bed bugs in their hospital beds. The first time I heard about this situation, I was shocked and couldn’t help but keep wondering, “can Hospital beds get bed bugs?” I did my research and am so delighted to share my discoveries in this helpful article. 

Do Hospital beds get bed bugs? 

Yes, Hospital beds get bed bugs. Ordinarily, the hospital environment is not ideal for bed bugs to grow due to the frequent sanitization that goes on within the premises. Unfortunately, there are some circumstances that may lead to patients seeing bed bugs on their hospital beds. For example, someone visiting a patient may have carried them from home and eventually unto the hospital premises and then the hospital bed. 

Do I need a new hospital bed if I have bed bugs? 

No, you don’t need a new bed if the old one is infested with bed bugs. It may be annoying to have bed bugs on the bed, but it is not worth throwing away because bed bug infestation can be treated. Interestingly, you may not need any special treatment to get rid of them; in most cases, all you need to eliminate them is just washing the bedding with hot water in the washing machine. 

Does every hospital bed have bed bugs? 

Yes, bed bugs could infest any bed. One thing you need to know about bed bug infestation is that they don’t grow naturally in the bed. Something must have served as a vector (which in most cases is human) that will transport the bugs from where they were nesting originally to your bed. Hence, the type of bed you use does not influence whether it can be inserted or not: any kind of bed can be infested. 

Do most hospital beds have bed bugs? 

Yes, most beds have bed bugs. Unlike some other insects or bacteria that are attracted to water or dirt, bed bugs are attracted by blood. Therefore, it doesn’t matter whether your bed is always clean; it is still liable to be infected by bed bugs. Although there are certain things you can do to prevent their growth or infestations (details later on this), the point here is to let you know that most beds are susceptible to bed bug infestation. 

Can you get bed bugs from a hospital? 

Yes, you can get bugs from a hospital. The hospital may not be a hotel or tourist center, but it is a place where different people from different locations go in and out every day, and therefore, the hospital premises are at high risk of bed bug infestation. Humans are one of the major carriers of this insect, and since they cling easily to clothes or bags, they can be easily brought into the hospital environment and also, and people can get infested by the hospital too. 

How do hospitals get rid of bed bugs? 

Most hospitals secure the services of professionals to help get rid of bed bug infestations. It is these professionals that will help to set up a standard treatment plan and reliable technique and technology that will be used to detect, eliminate and prevent their infestation. 

Who can I call for bed bugs? 

Although there are some effective home remedies to eliminate bed bugs, if you want to get rid of them professionally, then your best choice is to call professional exterminators. These people are seasoned in the biology and psychology of bed bugs and know the best way of getting rid of them completely. 

Can bed bugs go from one bed to the other? 

Yes, bed bugs can move from one bed to the other. Fun fact: bed bugs don’t have wings, but that does not mean they are not capable of moving from one place to another: they crawl on walls and move through floors, pipes, or ceiling openings which means they can go from one bed to another. 

Can a nurse get a bed bug from a patient? 

Yes, a nurse can get a bed bug from a patient. Bed bugs are usually transported into medical facilities through the personal luggage or clothes of patients, visitors, or even nurses. If the hospital bed of a patient is infested through any of these means, a nurse can also pick up the bed bus from there. 

Is bed bug infectious? 

No, a bed bug is not infectious. When you have bed bugs on your bed, it may lead to sleep deprivation due to the itchiness they cause, but they are not contagious, and neither do they spread from one person to the other. 

What to do if a patient comes in with a bed bug? 

1. Collect the belongings of such patients and put them in a plastic bag until their appointment time is over. 
2. Once the patient leaves, close the room they were in and put up a sign stating clearly that no one should enter or remove any furniture, equipment, or linen from the room. 
3. Notify concerned members and staff of the hospital, like the infection prevention, housekeeping supervisor, and nursing supervisors, during regular business hours. 
4. Educate the patient on detecting, controlling, and preventing bed bug infestation. 

How common are bed bugs in hospitals?  

Bed bugs are widespread in hospitals, and the reason for this is not murky; there’s usually too much traffic in hospitals, and these people moving in and out may be carriers of these bugs. According to recent research, about 40% of patients in medical facilities in the United States reported that they encountered bed bugs.