Hostname: page-component-5db58dd55d-d6ndz Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2026-05-30T08:01:33.574Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

An audit of the management of acute otitis externa in an ENT casualty clinic

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  29 June 2007

S. Ali Raza ,
Stuart W. Denholm  and
Jimmy C. H. Wong
S. Ali Raza
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology, Singleton Hospital, Sketty, Swansea, West Glamorgan, Wales.
Stuart W. Denholm*
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology, Singleton Hospital, Sketty, Swansea, West Glamorgan, Wales.
Jimmy C. H. Wong
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology, Singleton Hospital, Sketty, Swansea, West Glamorgan, Wales.
*
Address for correspondence: Mr S. W. Denholm, F.R.C.S., Ed., Department of Otolaryngology, Singleton Hospital, Sketty, Swansea, West Glamorgan SA2 8QA.
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

The management of acute otitis externa is variable, despite the fact that it is one of the commonest otological emergencies. We formed the impression that many patients attending our ENT casualty clinic with otitis externa were being treated and followed up inappropriately. To test this hypothesis we performed a retrospective pilot study on our practice which revealed a lack of uniformity in the management and follow-up of these patients. And as a result of this, guidelines were developed to improve our management of otitis externa and decrease the number of unnecessary review visits. Our practice was then audited prospectively over a six-month period with the guidelines in place. An improvement in the overall management and a rationalization of follow-up for otitis externa was seen by applying basic audit principles to this common clinical problem.

Keywords

Otitis externaPeer review

Information

Type
Audit Article
Information
The Journal of Laryngology & Otology , Volume 109 , Issue 2 , February 1995 , pp. 130 - 133
Copyright
Copyright © JLO (1984) Limited 1995

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

Article purchase

Temporarily unavailable

References

Agius, A. M., Pickles, J. M., Burch, K. L. (1992) A prospective study of otitis externa. Clinical Otolaryngology 17: 150–154.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Brooks, D. (1988) How to perform aural toilet. Update 15:717–721.Google Scholar
Browning, G. G. (1987) Pathology of inflammatory conditions of the external and middle ear. In Scott-Brown's Otolaryngology. 5th Edition, vol. 3. (Kerr, A. G., Booth, J. B., eds.) Butterworths, London, pp 55–59.Google Scholar
Feinmesser, R., Wiesely, Y. M., Argamanm Gay, I. (1982) Otitis externa – bacteriological survey. Journal of Otorhinolaryngology 44: 121–125.Google ScholarPubMed
Graham, M. D., Kemink, J. L. (1986) The wet ear. Otolaryngologic Clinics of North America 19: 39–44.Google ScholarPubMed
Hicks, S. C. (1983) Otitis externa: are we giving adequate care? Journal of the Royal College of General Practitioners 33: 581–583.Google ScholarPubMed
Holsgrove, G., Newby, M., Williams, R. (1992) The chronically discharging ear. Practitioner 236: 425–429.Google ScholarPubMed
Ludman, H. (1988) Mawson diseases of the ear, 5th Edition, Edward Arnold, London, pp 322–355.Google Scholar
Reilly, P. G. (1991) Otitis externa: the case for thorough aural toilet. Modern Medicine 36: 227–228.Google Scholar
Robertson, D. G., Bennett, D. C. (1992) The general practice management of otitis externa. Journal Royal Army Medical Corps 138: 27–32.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Sipila, P., Jokipii, A. M. M., Jokipii, L., Karma, P. (1981) Bacteria in the middle ear and ear canals of patients with secretory otitis media and with non-inflamed ears. Ada Oto-Laryngologica 92: 123–130.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Smith, P. G., Lucente, F. E. (1986) Infections. In Otolaryngology, head and neck surgery, vol. 4. (Cummings, C. W., ed.), C. V. Mosby Co., St Louis, pp 2899–2909.Google Scholar
Strauss, M. B., Dierker, R. L. (1987) Otitis externa associated with aquatic activities - swimmer's ear. Clinics in Dermatology 5: 103–111.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed