Bedbugs

Bedbugs are small insects that often live on furniture or bedding. Their bites can be itchy, but do not usually cause other health problems.

Bedbugs can hide in many places, including on bed frames, mattresses, clothing, furniture, behind pictures and under loose wallpaper.

• Bites – often on skin exposed while sleeping, like the face, neck and arms
• Spots of blood on your bedding – from the bites or from squashing a bedbug
• Small brown spots on bedding or furniture (bedbug poo)

Some people have a reaction to the bites. They can be very itchy and there may be painful swelling.

A severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) is also possible but rare.

If NIAS staff are aware that the patient has a suspected or confirmed case, this should be communicated to EAC / NEAC and the receiving unit when transferring the patient to ensure effective patient care and management.

• Contact Precautions should be used.
• Hand Hygiene should be completed as per the 5 moments in line with usual practice.
• Eye protection should be risk assessed for any concern regarding a splash risk.
• Gloves and Aprons should be risk assessed and worn if contact with the patient’s blood or bodily fluids.
• Laundry should be treated as contaminated, placed into an alginate bag and placed into a red laundry bag. Ensure the laundry does not come into contact with uniform.

All equipment and the ambulance should have an in-between patient clean, paying particular attention to touch points.

No follow up required.