A Model For Recovery The Tidal Model Social Work Essay

A Model For Recovery The Tidal Model Social Work Essay My family have used mental health services for three generations. I experienced my first hypo-manic episode in 1981 when I was writing up my doctoral thesis. During the past twenty-four years I have had sixteen episodes that have led to hospitalisation. I first met Professor Phil Barker in 1983 when he had just taken up the Chair of Psychiatric Nursing Practice at Newcastle University and I had just launched myself as a User Consultant under the name of Section 36. During his ten years in Newcastle we worked on several projects and spent many hours sharing our views on user empowerment, self-management and recovery. I felt privileged when he asked me to comment on the Tidal Model in its early stages. I feel equally privileged and delighted to speak about the Model today. Phil and Poppy Buchanan-Barker co-wrote this Guide on the Tidal Model for Mental Health Professionals. They have asked me to consider whether or not the Tidal Model helps service users on their recovery journey. I will do this largely by reading quotations taken directly from the book. Before we can do this I feel it necessary to look at the meanings of recovery. Elements of Recovery The Chambers 20th Century Dictionary definition of recover is to cure. In the context of mental health recovery is generally not accepted as being synonymous with cure. From her work with service users Repper observed that: Recovery does not mean that all suffering has disappeared, or that all symptoms have been removed, or that functioning has been restored. Pat Deegan, a clinical psychologist with a late childhood-diagnosis of schizophrenia recognized recovery is not a cure but sees no reason for despair. Being in recovery means I know I have certain limitations and things I cant do. But rather than letting these limitations be an occasion for despair and giving up, I have learned that in knowing what I cant do, I also open up all the possibilities of all I can do. Acceptance is a key factor in the recovery process. Again, Pat Deegan notes: †¦ an ever-deepening acceptance of our limitations. But now, rather than being an occasion for despair, we find our personal limitations are the ground from which spring our own unique possibilities. This is the paradox of recovery†¦that in accepting what we cannot do or be we discover what we can be and what we can do †¦ recovery is a process. It is a way of life. It is an attitude and a way of approaching the days challenges. Simon Champ, a prominent Australian mental health activist, also views recovery as a lifelong process which requires important changes in self : I have come to see that you do not simply patch up the self you were before developing schizophrenia, but that you have to actually recreate a concept of who you are that integrates the experience of schizophrenia. Real recovery is far from a simple matter of accepting diagnosis and learning facts about the illness and medication. Instead, it is a deep searching and questioning. A journey through unfamiliar feelings, to embrace new concepts and a wider view of self. It is not an event but a process. For many, I believe it is a lifelong journey. Despite painful times Anthony believes that we should always be hopeful as the recovery period brings with it periods of personal growth. Recovery is described as a deeply personal, unique process of changing ones attitudes, values, feelings, goals, skills, and/or roles. It is a way of living a satisfying, hopeful and contributing life, even with limitations caused by the illness. Recovery involves the development of new meaning and purpose in ones life as one grows beyond the catastrophic effects of mental illness. The Tidal Model In my view, hospitalisation is a form of containment rather than a therapeutic process. Service users are expected to entertain themselves by talking amongst themselves, watching television, sitting in the smoking room, playing pool or attending occupational therapy. Mental health nurses need to break out of the mechanistic routine, which restricts their dialogue with service users. When the Tidal Model is in use, each service user undergoes a holistic assessment with a specially trained mental health nurse. All experiences are accepted as true and not dismissed as hallucinations (for example). The mental health nurse discusses with the service user what the person feels may have caused their admission and what they feel they need to do to address these problems. Every service user receives a copy of their assessment, which is recorded in their own words. This process helps to build up trust between the service user and the mental health nurse. They form a partnership whereby the nurse supports the service user through the recovery process. The emphasis is on caring with rather than caring for. The attitudes, beliefs and expressed needs of the service user are accepted at each stage of the recovery process. The user knows that the advice of the nurse may not necessarily be accepted. The persons story lies at the heart of the Tidal Model†¦..The Tidal Model is a philosophical approach to the recovery or discovery of mental health. It is not a treatment model, which implies that something needs to be done to change the person. Instead the Tidal Model assumes that the person is already changing, albeit in small and subtle ways†¦.In the Tidal Model water is used as the core metaphor. Following the Holistic Assessment the service user enters into a period of Individual Care and Group Care. One to one Individual Care sessions are arranged on a daily basis. , The process of Individual Care involves developing a collaborative relationship within which the person can begin to develop awareness of the resources that (s)he currently possesses, which might be used to address the problem of living; what additional resources (support) might be needed; and what needs to happen next, to begin to move off on the recovery journey. Three forms of group work provide a supportive social structure for the Individual Care: The Discovery Group The Information Group The Solutions Group The Discovery Group brings together service users to discuss a set of pre-prepared questions that aim to generate simple reflection and light-hearted as well as meaningful conversation. Two members of the professional team normally lead the Discovery Group, but over time group participants may take turns in leading the session. The Discovery Group therefore aims to provide a setting within which people might experience a boost to their self-esteem, reclaiming in the process some of the personhood that has been lost, either as a function of the experience of mental ill-health, or of the experience of psychiatric care and treatment, or both. The Discovery Group provides an opportunity within which members may reclaim and develop further their ability to share with others, on a simple yet mutually rewarding basis, through simple question and answer sessions. The Information Group aims to provide practical advice to people about services they are presently using, or services that they might consider using. This advice is delivered in plain language, preferably in an entertaining, interesting or otherwise accessible way. Francis Bacons dictum that knowledge itself is power is the primary motivation behind the Information Group. Without knowledge we are not only ignorant, but also powerless. The people who lead the Information Group should have in-depth knowledge of specific topic areas who can comfortably answer intelligent and searching questions from people in care and perhaps also staff members. There are an infinite number of possible topics for the Information Group, but experience of the Tidal Model projects around the world suggests that the following are most popular: Medication Current care and treatment Psychotherapy and counselling Nutrition and well-being Social security benefits Community supports Specialist mutual support groups Housing and supported accommodation. The potential contribution to Information Groups that might be made by user/consumer-advocates, psychiatric survivors, or others who have navigated the recovery journey, is inestimable. Apart from special knowledge of the recovery journey, such people come carrying a huge beacon of hope. Their very presence signals the possibility of recovery, but also frames this within a realistic storyline. The Tidal Model emphasises the necessary search for solutions. Given that the problems of living which people experience determines the need for help, both lay and professional, it follows that we should be focused on solutions to these problems. However, unlike some other therapy models or treatment systems, we do not believe that the professionals have the answers to the persons problems†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦the Tidal Model needs to be tailored to suit every person in the programme. Everyone needs a theory of their own to explain how they got there, and how they might move off again, back onto the ocean of experience. So the pragmatic focus on finding solutions is carried over into the work of the Solutions Group. The Solutions Group is part of the heavy work of care-helping people to learn more about themselves and their problems and instilling hope in the recovery process. The Solutions Group is highly practical and focuses on conversations about change that is already taking place within individual members. What subtle examples of change is the person already becoming aware of? Alternatively the group will focus on conversations about what change might be like; how participants will know change when they encounter it. The Tidal Model focuses upon the unison between the service user and the professional helper. However †¦..the Tidal Model is an anti-professional approach to mental health care . It does not believe that there is special knowledge concerning mental health, known only to the professional, that can bring about the resolution of serious problems of human living, or speed the persons recovery. The Tidal Model proposes that only the person can ever own such knowledge†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦..However, the person needs the sophisticated support to plan and execute the process of recovery. Finally the book offers us Ten Commitments which distil the essence of the practice of the Tidal Model. Value the voice: the persons story is the beginning and endpoint of the whole helping encounter. The persons story embraces not only the account of the persons distress, but also the hope for its resolution. This is the voice of experience. We need to guard it well, as the voice begins to help the person to make her or himself anew. There is no doubt in my mind that the Tidal Model promotes the process of recovery. The key features that set it aside from other models are: It is based on the personal stories of service users. It is based on caring with rather than caring for. It is a holistic model of care. It recognises that knowledge is power. It focuses upon solutions rather than problems. It promotes self-management and empowerment. It promotes the concept of therapeutic experience rather than containment. In this sense, the Tidal Model is truly groundbreaking.

Business, Government and Society

Odwalla, Inc. , the largest producer of fresh fruit and vegetable-based juices in the Western parts of United States, was founded in 1980 by three people Steltenpohl, his wife and a friend. Initially the business was started by a $200 worth of used juicer in the backyard of California from which it moved a step forward by transporting the juices to restaurants in the local vicinity. Gradually the business started expanding its distribution and production facilities by increasing its product lines as well as by acquiring other juice manufacturing companies. Growth of the company was financially backed by bank loans and private stock offerings.The strong marketing and product line helped in grasping consumer attention which further enhanced the company’s image. With intensive marketing, pricing, product innovativeness and creativeness of the value driven product line of the company it succeeded in completed its best-ever fiscal year in 1996 when sales reached about $59 million w hich were about 40 percent higher than the last year. Situation The company Odwalla Inc. has just celebrated its best fiscal year but is facing a health related issue with its products because of a virulent bacterium called E. coli 0157:H7 which causes food poisoning and other such stomach problems.This problem is especially very serious in infants and older people whose immune systems aren’t very strong. Although the overall class of this bacterium is present in the human intestinal tract and plays a helpful role in synthesizing vitamins and to suppress harmful bacteria. However some, especially E. coli 0157:h7, cause a lot of harm for a person producing a toxin which affects the inner lining of the gut. This type of bacteria lives in the intestine of animals like cows, sheep, deer etc. and thus infects the meat of the animal thus rendering it unhealthy for human consumption.This bacteria however also travels through fecal contamination of the food e. g. if a fruit falls fro m the tree and comes into physical contact with the manure of the infected animal the fruit then also carries the germs of this bacteria. This bacterium is also infected when a person doesn’t wash his hands after using the toilet and touches the food, which has to be later on consumed, by his unclean hands. It was initially believed that the bacterium cannot exist in acidic environment and so all the drinks especially those containing citrus acid were protected from this virus as their pH level is 4.3. These acidic drinks included apple and other such juices. However recently this concept went under a change when it was found that it can and does exist under a pH of 4. 0. This was known when some of the bacterium was found in acidic drinks which shouldn’t have been possible. After extensive research it was concluded that the bacteria must have undergone a mutation process because of which they can now exist even in acidic environment. The company Odwalla is very cautio us health and nutrition wise because of which the fruits are selected after careful analysis.The company recognized its values, vision and mission because of which a carefully designed plan is implemented to ensure that no unclean product goes into the manufacturing line. The fruits are carefully picked from the tree and no fallen fruit is accepted. Similarly the bin is checked and rechecked to see if any contact with the ground has been made. If there were any dirt or debris found the whole bin is rejected. Even after this careful handpicked selection the fruits are washed with a sanitizing solution of phosphoric acid and then scrubbed with whirling brushes.Later on all the juices are manufactured under strict hygienic conditions which aren’t to be compromised ever. Even after such careful analysis a few bacteria were found in some drinks which caused a huge amount of responsibility and tension for the company. Issue The company follows a strict code of conduct which ensures that the highest amount of product quality is delivered to the customers while maintaining the natural taste of the fruits. To deliver the promised quality and taste the company doesn’t pasteurizes its juices because of which the bacteria, if were present in the drink, couldn’t be finished.After the bacterium were found in the juices the company faced a serious problem dilemma as to what their course of action should be because they obviously didn’t wanted to lost their customers along with their profits but they did not want to risk the health of their customers as well. Even one health issue case was very big for them as they were socially and ethically a very responsible company. So now the company had to decide what to do. After a serious of meetings it was decided that the products affected by this bacteria would be called back.So in a record breaking speed the products were pulled back from the shelves until the company can find a way to kill the bacteria . This was a major decision which costed the company almost $5 million. Despite the financial loss the company’s main focus was on finding a way to eliminate this threat so that it wouldn’t harm the consumers. For this purpose investigations were conducted by the company and federal and state health authorities. The company after recalling the apple juice product also recalled back those products in which apple juice was used to further reduce risking consumer health.The company then sought to devise a plan which would reduce the risk as well as increase its sales and would help in the reintroduction of these products in the market. On a short term level the company thought it would be best if it only sold those products in which apple juice wasn’t an ingredient. For this the products in which apple juice was used were manufactured again without apple juice in them and were then sold in the market. But this procedure was only best for a short term purpose so as to reduce or minimize the effect of the losses however they couldn’t cut out apple juice as it was a major selling product of the company.Because of this the company decided to opt for flash pasteurization which is a modified form of pasteurization in which the juice is quickly heated to almost 160 degrees and then maintaining the temperature for a very short span of time so that the bacteria is killed. This reduces the actual taste somewhat but is still better than the pasteurized juice. This decision was made after careful analysis of the demands and wants of the consumer. Option Every dilemma has more than one option; similarly this issue had more than one option which the company could have selected.Regarding this case the company also had a series of actions from which it chose the best. The other options are as follows †¢ Discontinuing all apple juice products so that safety of the consumer is fully assured. This means that apple juice would have to be cancelled no t only as a product but as an ingredient from other products as well. This wasn’t a very feasible option as more than 80 percent of the revenue was generated because of the apple juice and cancelling it out from the product line would mean to cut or throw away the most profitable aspect of the business.†¢ The second option the company had was to improve its manufacturing processes and tighten all the rules and regulations to further ensure that no unsafe or unhygienic product goes through the production cycle and ends up as a juice product. This would mean more inspection and washes of the fruits. †¢ The third option is modifying label in a way which ensures that the consumer knows that the juices isn’t for infants or for older people. This way the infants and elder people would be safe because they are the most likely to get effected by the bacteria quiclkly.†¢ The fourth option the company can consider is to use standard pasteurization in which the jui ce is slowly heated to a certain temperature which is maintained for some time so that the bacteria are killed by the heat. This also increases the product life of the juice i. e. it will take longer for the product to be expired. But this type of method is not feasible as the company is highly focused on maintaining the quality and taste which is almost destroyed by this method. †¢ Using other alternatives technologies to remove the pathogens.These methods include a high pressure process which exerts a lot of pressure to cause the walls of the bacteria to explode. Other such methods include using electricity to kill bacteria and herbal antiseptic products etc. Recommendations The company showed a vast amount of ethical and social responsibility towards its customers throughout the dilemma. The company showed the problem in a very professional and morally upright way and according to my perception using flash pasteurization is a very good way to kill the bacteria because by thi s the actual taste of the product and quality is not lost.My recommendations for the company is that rather than just focusing on flash pasteurization the company should incorporate other options as well to make a perfect blend. The company should tighten and improve its production process so that no harmful substance is left. Overall I agree with the decisions of the organization and the way it solved the problem. Conclusion This case study is about a company Odwalla Inc. in which it faced serious problem in its product line despite having a very rigid and vigilant checking of the raw materials. Due to this bacterium some people fell critically ill and a girl even died.But nobody blamed the company because the company was doing its best to eradicate the bacteria and was helping the effected people in any way they can. The company even called back its products and then carried out a research as to what the customers wanted and finally thorough flash pasteurization they were able to solve out the problem. Overall the company showed immense amount of ethical and corporate standards while dealing with the problem. ? Bibliography Nestle. M. , 2003 Safe Food: Bacteria, Biotechnology, and Bioterrorism. Marion Nestle University of California Press

Amity Centre for eLearning Essay

Mr. Sreenivas (55) working as manager in Alfa Chemicals, a large scale industrial establishment engaged in the production of Phosphate and Sulphur. He has 30 years of experience in Alfa Chemicals. He has an excellent track record as Manager Human Resources within the organization. Many times he got ‘best  employer award’ to performance excellence. His area of expertise in recruitment and selection process, and performance appraisal has been widely acknowledged. The Information Technology division of Alfa Chemicals industry once faced acute shortage of manpower. Mr. Raj, Manager IT division put forward an immediate requirement of 10 employees in the IT division, to HR department, starting from junior level to senior level. As and when Mr. Sreenivas got the letter from Mr. Raj, in his department, he started processing of it. To get it done, he approached many sources. He had gone through the data bank of company and considered 100 resumes for recruitment from it. He also informed the employees and employers of the organization, in their respective departmental notice board, showing the immediate requirement of 10 employees to facilitate the internal recruitment procedures. From the employees and employers of Alfa Chemicals he got around 150 applications with resumes. In addition to that in order to give an opportunity to candidates’ external to the organization he floated an advertisement in several daily news papers viz., Times of India, Sakal, and Indian Express. From external sources he got around 350 applications. Almost 600 candidates, including internal and external applicants, applied for 10 vacant posts. To ensure the reliability and dependability of the process, Sreenivas made his personal scrutiny at all levels, in the recruitment and selection process. Since the entire department function as a team in HR, all the members trust each other and extended their valuable contribution in the recruitment and selection. The department conducted a preliminary interview in order to made first  screening process and filter the number of applicants. After the first screening process the HR department reduced the number of applicant list from 600 to 500 applicants. He conducted a written test and group discussion and there by further reduces the number of applicants to 300. These 300 candidates then exposed to one hour psychometric test and out of which 50 candidates selected for the final interview. From the final interview, 10 candidates finally selected. The entire process of recruitment and selection took almost 3 months. The selected candidates list then forwarded to the top management for the final approval. HR department informed the candidates that the appointment letters will be sent to those who are selected for the post. Sreenivas approached several time to the top management about to get final approval of list of candidates for the IT department. Sreenivas informed the IT department also that the delay in the final list announcement as the top  management take some more time. He waited almost 4 weeks. But, no reply at all. Mr. Raj, the IT manager every day enquired about the latest information about the final list of the candidates and tentative date of induction. Sreenivas faced the difficulty to make any comment on the subject as there was no information from the top management. HR department had to answer many phone calls from out side and inside the organization, as recruitment involved candidates from inside and outside. The employers and employees of the industry, whose relatives got into the final selection process, became regular visitors of the HR department, asking for the finalist. Sreenivas called a meeting of HR team members and once again made a close verification of the entire process. But he couldn’t find any fault in any of the recruitment and selection process. As the time went on he became more suspicious about the delay in the announcement of the result. When the problem becomes so crucial Sreenivas got direction from the top management to meet Mr. Kartik, General Manager, one of the top officials in the organization. Mr.Kartik asked the entire process of recruitment and selection that made on IT professionals. Sreenivas furnished the entire details of the process in a precise report. Mr. Kartik read the entire  report and soon after made a direct comment that the recruitment and selection process that for IT professionals need to be cancelled as he observed some discrepancies in the process made by his department. He further directed Sreenivas that the vacancies have to be filled through contract basis and no permanent vacancies to be made in these positions, for one year. Further he informed Sreenivas that another recruitment process to be done from external candidates applied and no internal application to be entertained. Sreenivas couldn’t agree with the Mr. Kiran comment on his department’s inefficiency in the recruitment and selection process. For a while he thought about quitting the organization, as he faced a baseless allegation from the top management. Till date there is no black mark in his functional dissemination. On many occasion he helped the industry to find out best possible solutions in order to tackle the many manpower crisis. Sreenivas became so depressed and felt quiet unhappy about the decision taken by the management. Mr. Sreenivas called an urgent meeting of his subordinates and communicated the management decision and directives. He shared with the team members that the management had greater dissatisfaction on the recruitment and selection process done by the department. He enquired that any one made any mistake in the  process. All members denied the probability of any mistake. As there were clear norms and regulations related to each step and there was no dual command, they found no possibility of creeping errors in the selection process. In the meeting he informed his subordinates that the management freezes the appointment process for IT professionals and asked for external recruitment on contract basis. It was shocking news to members. They asked several questions to get a proper clarification from Sreenivas. As Mr. Sreenivas himself unaware of the reasons behind management decision, he informed his subordinate his inability to give a proper reply in this regard. Sreenivas also informed this matter to Mr. Raj. During the evening hours, in the same day, Sreenivas got a call from Mr. George, one of his senior-level Managers, with whom he had friendly and informal relationship. Mr. George asked Srinivas to come to his cabin. As per the call Mr.  Sreenivas met George in his cabin. George enquired about his family and many unofficial matters in the informal interaction. Half an hour later, Mr. George enquired about the recruitment and selection process of IT professionals. He shared with George all those things happened with top management. Leaving aside the informal interaction, George initiated formal discussion with Sreenivas. He told Sreenivas that the selected list of IT professionals consisted two names, Mr. Avdesh and Mr. Praveen, they are the relatives of two trade union leaders of the organization. The management felt that being the relatives of two trade union leaders, in the long run, they could be a threat to organization. It may create an image that the trade unions still have a control over the decision making process in organization. Further, the hold of trade union may expand if this selection process materializes. Mr. Geroge informed Sreenivas that management didn’t have any doubt about the dependability and exactness of the recruitment processes that HR departmentr did. George further informed Sreenivas that as per the intimation from top management he called Mr. Sreenivas and briefed about the undercurrents of this episode. The entire news was shocking to Mr. Sreenivas. He didn’t know that the management decision had this much of undercurrents. After hearing entire story Sreenivas become so silent and returned to his cabin. While sitting inside his cabin, he made a silent comment that, â€Å"what a useless effort. Questions 1. What are the undercurrents of selection process in Alfa Chemicals? 2. How management decision justifies management effort in the maintenance of harmonious industrial relation? 3. Do you believe that as HR Manager, Mr. Sreenivas failed to gather direct and indirect information about the candidates? 4. How ‘cancellation of appointment’ decision that affect the moral of organizational members? 5. How you interpret the dilemma of HR managers have to face in such kind of situations. 6. What would be your decision if you have to face such situation? 7. Do you believe that trade unions have ‘quota’ in appointments? 8. How the decision affect the reduction of wastages and improvement of resources. 9. Is the decision reflecting management fear towards trade union or inability to develop a congenial industrial relationship within the organization? 10. How you interpret the silence of Mr. Sreenivas?

How to Avoid Bed Bugs When You Travel

Bed bugs were once a pest of the past, but they’ve made a remarkable comeback in recent years. Just a few hitchhiking bed bugs in your luggage can start a full-scale infestation of these bloodsucking insects in your home.   What Do Bed Bugs Look Like? Adult bed bugs are oval in  shape and brown or reddish in color. Immature bed bugs tend to be lighter in color. Bed bugs usually live in groups, so where theres one, theres likely to be many. Other signs that bed bugs are present include tiny black spots on linens or furniture (excrement) and piles of light brown skin casings. 4 Common Myths About Bed Bugs The mere thought of bed bugs might be enough to make your skin crawl (literally!), but its important you understand a few things about these pests and their habits. Bed bugs dont transmit diseases and arent generally considered a threat to your health. As with any insect bite, bed bug bites can be itchy, and some peoples skin may be more sensitive than others.Bed bugs are not a product of filth. They will inhabit even the cleanest of homes. Dont assume your house or your hotel room is too clean to host bed bugs. If theres something for them to eat (usually you), bed bugs will be just as happy in a 5-star resort as they will in a cheap motel.Bed bugs are nocturnal. That means theyre only going to show their faces at night when its good and dark. Dont expect to walk into a hotel room in broad daylight and see bed bugs crawling up the walls.Bed bugs are really small. Adult  bed bugs are visible to the naked eye but youll need a magnifying glass to spot their eggs. Because theyre so tiny, bed bugs can hide in places youd never think of looking.   Fortunately, theres plenty you can do to minimize your chances of bringing bed bugs home from your next vacation or business trip. What to Research Before You Go Before you hit the road on your next vacation or business trip, do your homework. People are quick to share their travel experiences online, especially when it comes to  bed bugs  in hotel rooms. Websites like  Tripadvisor, where customers post their own reviews of hotels and resorts, are invaluable resources to  see if your hotel has  a bed bug problem. You can also check out  bedbugregistry.com, an online database that tracks reported  bed bug infestations  in hotels and apartments. The bottom line – if people are saying theyve seen  bed bugs at a certain hotel  or resort, dont stay there on your trip. How to Pack to Avoid Bed Bugs Use sealable sandwich bags. This way even if you do end up in a room with the pests your belongings will be protected. Get yourself a good supply of large baggies (gallon  sizes work great), and seal everything you can inside them. Clothing, shoes, toiletries, and even books can be zipped up tight. Make sure you seal the baggies completely, as even a tiny opening can allow a wandering bed bug to get in. When in your hotel room, keep the baggies zipped shut unless you need access to an item inside. Use hard-sided luggage.  Cloth-sided luggage offers bed bugs a million hideaways. Hard-sided luggage doesnt have folds or seams where bed bugs can hide, and it closes completely, with no gaps so the pests cant penetrate your bags interior.   If you must use soft-sided luggage for your trip, lighter-colored bags are better. Bed bugs will be virtually impossible to spot on black or dark-colored bags. Pack clothing that is easy to launder. Avoid packing clothing that can only be laundered in cold water. Washing in hot water, then drying at high heat, does a good job of killing any bed bugs carried home on clothes, so youll want to choose garments that can be easily debugged  when you return. How to Inspect Your Hotel Room for Bed Bugs When you arrive at your hotel or resort, leave your luggage in the car or with the bellhop. Should you walk in and find a room teeming with  bed bugs, you dont want your belongings sitting in the midst of the infestation.  Dont bring your bags into the room until youve done a proper bed bug inspection. Bed bugs hide during daylight hours, and theyre quite small, so finding them takes a little work. Its a good idea to  carry a small flashlight  when you  travel since bed bugs will likely be hiding  in the darkest crevices of the room.  A LED  key chain makes a great bed bug inspection tool.   The sulfur in an unlit match will cause the bugs to flee. Run an unlit match along the seam of the mattress to bring the bugs out of hiding. Where to Look When Inspecting a Hotel Room for Bed Bugs Start with the bed (theyre called bed bugs for a reason, after all). Check the linens thoroughly for any signs of bed bugs, especially around any seams, piping, or ruffles. Dont forget to inspect the dust ruffle, a common hiding place for  bed bugs  that  are  often overlooked. Pull back the sheets, and inspect the mattress, again looking carefully at any seams or piping. If theres a box spring, check for bed bugs there as well. If possible, lift each corner of the mattress and box spring and inspect the bed frame, another popular hiding place for bed bugs. Bed bugs can also live in wood. Continue your inspection by examining any furniture or other items near the bed.  The majority of bed bugs  live within close proximity to the bed. If you are able, inspect behind the headboard, which is often mounted on the wall in hotel rooms. Also, look behind picture frames and mirrors. Pull out any drawers, using your flashlight to look inside the dresser and nightstand. What to Do If You Find Bed Bugs in Your Hotel Room? Go immediately to the front desk and ask for a different room. Tell the management what bed bug evidence you found, and specify that you want a room with no history of bed bug problems. Dont let them give you a room adjacent to the room where you found bed bugs (including the rooms above or below it), as bed bugs can easily travel through ductwork or wall cracks into adjoining rooms. Be sure to repeat your bed bug inspection in the new room, too. While Youre Staying at the Hotel Just because you didnt find any bed bugs, doesnt mean they arent there. Its quite possible your room could still have pests, so take a few extra precautions. Never place your luggage or your clothing on the floor or bed. Store your bags on the luggage rack or on top of a dresser, off the floor. Keep any  items, not in use sealed in baggies. How to Unpack From Your Trip and Kill Any Stowaway Bed Bugs After you check out of the hotel, you can take steps to keep any undetected  bed bugs  from following you home. Before you put your luggage in the car to head home, place it in a large plastic garbage bag and knot it tightly closed. Once you get home, unpack carefully.   All clothing and other machine washable items should be laundered immediately in the hottest water allowable.  Clothes should then dried on high heat for at least 30 minutes. This should kill any bed bugs that managed to stow away. Freeze things that cant be washed or heated. Items that cannot be exposed to water or heat can be frozen instead, although this takes longer to destroy  the bed bug eggs. Keep these belongings sealed in baggies, and place them in a freezer for a minimum of 5 days. Electronics and other items that cannot survive such temperature extremes should be inspected thoroughly, preferably outdoors or in a garage or other area of the house with limited carpeting or furniture. Inspect your luggage, especially soft-sided pieces. Check the zippers, lining, pockets, and any piping or seams carefully  for signs of bed bugs. Ideally, you should steam clean your soft-sided luggage. Wipe down hard-sided luggage and check any fabric inner lining thoroughly.