Bed Bug Hospital Problem

by Nikki
(Grand Rapids, MI)

I was at the hospital with my daughter. I noticed that there was a bug on the bed. I got it off the bed and then looked at my daughter's leg.

There was a big rash on her leg right where the bug was found. They sent her home and did not do anything. The messes up part is that she is only 1 years old and I do not have bed bugs or any kind of bug in my home.

Editor Comment on Hospital Bed Bugs

Hi Nikki,

Thanks for sharing your hospital bed bug story. Unfortunately this problem is becoming all too common.

Just like hotels that cater to travelers, who bring bed bugs along for the trip, the same is true for hospitals only worse. Since hospitals serve a wide variety of people, they are more likely to treat individuals that have large bed bug infestations. Because of this, bed bugs have been a problem in hospitals, emergency vehicles such as ambulances and cars used to support the sick.

My suggestion is to treat a hospital like you would a hotel, when trying to prevent bed bugs. This includes:

1. Only bring machine washable clothing and pack in disposable bags.

2. Inspect any hospital mattress for bed bugs. Look for signs of bed bugs, such as insects hiding in any mattress seams and hiding in the bed frame.

3. When done with the hospital stay, do not bring anything back with you unless it is sealed in a plastic bin or as I recommend, a Ziploc Big Bag. Bring the clothes directly to the washer. Wash in hot water followed by 20 to 30 minutes in the dryer.

I'm sure your bed bugs hospital story will help others. Thank you for sharing your story.