EAR CARE PROCEDURE FOR COMMUNITY NURSING SERVICES
EAR CARE PROCEDURE FOR COMMUNITY NURSING SERVICES
EAR CARE PROCEDURE FOR COMMUNITY NURSING SERVICES
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Documentation<br />
Nursing Management of Ear Wax – Documentation<br />
Propulse electronic ear syringe cleaning procedure<br />
<strong>PROCEDURE</strong> <strong>FOR</strong> <strong>EAR</strong> EXAMINATION<br />
<strong>PROCEDURE</strong><br />
Verbally check the identity of the patient by asking<br />
the patients full name and date of birth. Check<br />
with carer/family if not able to confirm identity<br />
Before careful physical examination of the ear,<br />
listen to the patient, elicit symptoms and take a<br />
history. Explain procedure and obtain informed<br />
consent<br />
Establish patient has no known allergies, check in<br />
patients records and also ask patient / family of<br />
any known history<br />
Decontaminate hands<br />
Examine pinna, outer meatus and adjacent scalp<br />
Choose appropriately sized speculum<br />
Pull the pinna upwards and outwards<br />
To confirm identity<br />
RATIONALE<br />
To allow the patient / client to make an<br />
informed decision and gain cooperation<br />
To reduce allergic reactions<br />
To prevent spread of micro-organisms<br />
Evidence of surgical intervention,<br />
infection, discharge, swelling and signs<br />
of skin lesions may be evident<br />
To prevent damage to the ear canal<br />
To straighten the ear canal<br />
If this is painful do not continue, as pain<br />
may indicate infection / inflammation<br />
Hold the otoscope like a pen and rest the small<br />
digit on the patient’s head as a trigger for any<br />
unexpected head movement<br />
Insert the speculum gently into the ear canal<br />
Attempt to view the tympanic membrane,<br />
observing for any abnormalities<br />
Check for presence of a mastoid cavity – if<br />
present, inspect all parts of the cavity and refer<br />
any concerns to General Practitioner. Mastoid<br />
cavities must not be irrigated<br />
Decontaminate hands<br />
Observe condition of skin when withdrawing<br />
otoscope and note the presence, amount and<br />
consistency of any wax present<br />
Document observations on ear care assessment<br />
form (Appendix 1)<br />
Dispose of single use speculum<br />
To undertake visual assessment and<br />
reduce the risk of trauma<br />
Irrigation should not be carried out if<br />
evidence of infection or perforation is<br />
noted<br />
Any intervention with mastoid cavities<br />
must only be undertaken by an ear care<br />
specialist<br />
To prevent spread of micro-organisms<br />
Subsequent advice and treatment is<br />
dependent on condition of wax present<br />
Ensure compliance with NMC and local<br />
record keeping guidelines<br />
To ensure speculum cannot be reused<br />
<strong>EAR</strong> <strong>CARE</strong> <strong>PROCEDURE</strong><br />
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