Hospitals, doctor’s offices, clinics, and other types of healthcare facilities are among the cleanest facilities you can find – or so we hope! Any business offering healthcare services is typically held to a higher standard of cleanliness, as compared to other types of commercial facilities. Unfortunately, unsanitary conditions caused by pests can create a host of problems when trying to care for patients. Which is why pest control in healthcare facilities should be high-priority and never considered to be optional. healthcare facilities are highly vulnerable when it comes to a potential pest infestation. In this post, we’re sharing the best pest control methods for the healthcare industry, from the most common pests found in these types of facilities to prevention tips that will keep unwanted pests at bay.
There are hundreds of ways pests can find their way into a healthcare facility. Hospitals and healthcare facilities are usually operating inside of large buildings with high amounts of foot traffic that allow pests to find different entry points and make their way inside.
Pests That Pose a Threat to Healthcare Facilities
The most significant reason why pest control is required in healthcare facilities is simply because pests are filthy. Pests are unsanitary and disease-ridden, and can expose health-compromised patients to contagious disease and bacteria. It goes without saying that people go to the hospital to be cared for and to heal – not to get sick. Take a look at the most common types of pests found in hospitals and healthcare facilities.
Rodents
rodents can spread diseases and bacteria to humans via direct contact from bites, nests, and contaminated particles circulating in the air. As a healthcare provider, this can be worrisome as certain bacteria can worsen a patient’s condition and put them in further risk. The list of rodent-spread diseases includes:
Unfortunately, preventing rodent infestations can be a difficult task as these pests are natural scavengers. Their behaviours are always dictated by their need to search for food. Because of this, rodents are commonly found lurking around kitchens and food prep areas, patient rooms (especially if food is left behind), along with maintenance and laundry rooms that serve as a source of water for pests.
Healthcare facilities are meant to cure diseases and sicknesses, not spread them.
The Role of Integrated Pest Management
Integrated Pest Management (IPM) is more than a set of pest control techniques; it is a philosophy that underpins the entire approach to managing pests in sensitive environments like hospitals and aged care facilities. IPM’s emphasis is on the health and safety of patients and staff aged care facilities, aiming to reduce reliance on chemical treatments which can pose health risks if not managed carefully.
The IPM approach in hospitals, healthcare facilities and medical facilities is holistic and includes:
Reduce Chemical Intervention: Focus on ongoing Prevention
