Fire ants

Last year, one of the nation’s largest healthcare companies settled for $1.8 million with the family of a resident who died after fire ants swarmed his bed.

Fire ant infestation is a problem in long-term care facilities that recurs despite frequent treatments. Older residents are the most vulnerable to attacks because they can’t move quickly.

The following strategies can be used to prevent fire ant attacks:

* seal any cracks, holes and entry points in the exterior masonry
* trim vegetation at least 18” away from the building structure
* keep the roof, gutters and downspouts free of debris
* repair any leaks and other excess moisture sources
* clean up food debris in common areas
* monitor landscape garden beds for fire ant mounds
* spray pesticides or apply pesticidal baits

Ongoing monitoring and the use of chemical pesticides are the one-two punch you can use to safeguard your property from fire ants and protect residents.

Fire ants

Last year, one of the nation’s largest healthcare companies settled for $1.8 million with the family of a resident who died after fire ants swarmed his bed.

Fire ant infestation is a problem in long-term care facilities that recurs despite frequent treatments. Older residents are the most vulnerable to attacks because they can’t move quickly.

The following strategies can be used to prevent fire ant attacks:

* seal any cracks, holes and entry points in the exterior masonry
* trim vegetation at least 18” away from the building structure
* keep the roof, gutters and downspouts free of debris
* repair any leaks and other excess moisture sources
* clean up food debris in common areas
* monitor landscape garden beds for fire ant mounds
* spray pesticides or apply pesticidal baits

Ongoing monitoring and the use of chemical pesticides are the one-two punch you can use to safeguard your property from fire ants and protect residents.

Hospital wastes

Toxic hospital wastes can cause health and environmental hazards, with syringes, intravenous needles, blood, body fluids, human tissues, dressings, drainage bags and disposable items creating pollution. Even bandages, gauze and cotton dumped outside can be a hazard.

Hospitals should be aware of these kinds of waste, according to Managing Infection Control magazine:

* Municipal waste: solid waste generated from healthcare facilities
* Hospital waste: all kinds of waste generated within a hospital, including biological and non-biological.
* Medical waste: Wastes from patient treatment, diagnosis or immunization.
* Infectious waste: Wastes that can cause infectious disease, including bloodborne pathogens.
* Hazardous waste: Solid and liquid wastes that can cause serious injury, including radioactive, toxic or explosive materials.

Hospitals should develop a waste control plan that covers all kinds of waste in an effort to protect patients, staff and the general public