Why Healthcare Pest Management Matters More Than Ever

When it comes to running your healthcare business, nothing is more important than the safety and peace of mind of your patients. That’s why attention to detail matters in everything from sanitation to pest control, even in normal times. And since the global COVID-19 pandemic has heightened concerns for healthcare facilities, going above and beyond is key to ensuring an exceptional patient experience.

As designated essential businesses, most healthcare facilities already follow the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)’s guidelines for safe operations, including cleaning, disinfecting and altering patient protocols. But even with these strict measures in place, pest infestation is still a threat—and pest control can be easy to overlook. It’s now especially critical to help fortify your facility against pest invasion and sustain your sanitation efforts.

A Comprehensive Approach

You make employees and patients feel safe every day—it’s part of running a reputable healthcare business. Pest control plays a crucial role in this, even though it may seem like a smaller part of the overall equation. Imagine if someone saw several cockroaches crawling across a waiting room floor. Would they feel any better about the services they’re about to receive? Of course not.

The best way to prevent incidents like this is to work with a trusted Integrated Pest Management (IPM) provider to develop a detailed plan for your facility. Your provider will help you understand your greatest pest risk and establish predetermined thresholds, which offer plans for every level of pest activity—from small incidents to more serious problems. This can prevent overreacting or underreacting to pest management issues and ensure you know the right response for a given situation.

In addition, you should ensure that you’re carefully following an IPM checklist—like this one for essential businesses—to maintain a hygienic environment at all times. Combined with an all-encompassing IPM program, this will help you keep pests out and maintain patient confidence in the future.

What You Can Do Right Now

Beyond the steps outlined above, here are a few quick things you can do on a regular basis to protect your facility against pests:

• Exclusion: Make sure that doors and windows aren’t propped open for extended periods of time. Install door sweeps, weather stripping and window screens, and seal all cracks and crevices.

• Cleaning: Thoroughly clean, dust and sweep to remove buildup and cobwebs. Follow a daily sanitization regimen and remove any clutter like cardboard boxes that may harbor pests. Repair leaking faucets, water pipes and HVAC units to avoid moisture buildup.

• Exterior: Move plants away from the facility’s foundation and remove excess plant growth and wood mulch outdoors. Seal any cracks in the foundation and building walls.

Pest Control Matters to Patient Safety

To learn more about pest management at your healthcare facility, check out Orkin’s detailed guide, which offers everything you need to know about keeping pests out and maintaining a glowing reputation with your patients.