INTRODUCTION
This SOP is intended for registered nurses who are competent in carrying out safe and effective ear irrigation. It provides the nurses with guidelines in assessment and examination in adult ear irrigation.
Ear irrigation should only be considered when other conservative methods of wax removal have failed (e.g. use of softeners). Patients requiring ear irrigation should always receive education and advice, which may reduce contributory factors and therefore the need for ear irrigation
Ear irrigation is undertaken for the purpose of removing wax from the external auditory meatus where this is thought to be causing a hearing deficit and/or discomfort, or restricts vision of the tympanic membrane preventing examination in the adult patient
Nurses performing the procedure:
Should understand the normal and abnormal anatomy and physiology of the ear and need to be aware of the complications and contraindications of ear irrigation.
Must examine the ears, check the history, discuss complications, and obtain informed consent.
carry out the procedure as per clinic guidelines
record all findings and treatment in the patient’s records as per NMC (2008) guidance on record keeping
Nurses may accept self-referrals from patients although the protocol for self-referral must be agreed between the General Practitioners and nursing staff in individual surgeries or health centres.
Note
Metal syringes should not be used as they can create pressure up to 7.5 times atmospheric pressure 1(Sharp et al 1990) and is considered more difficult to control compared to the electric Propulse machine (Rogers 1997)2. Therefore, a Propulse 11 or 111 machines is recommended.
Guidelines for Ear irrigation
Aim
To facilitate the removal of cerumen from the external auditory meatus.
When to irrigate
If you have satisfied yourself that there is wax occluding a healthy eardrum and the patient is experiencing difficulty in hearing
If the patient has had his ears irrigated before and the history and examination reveal no current contraindications;
If the wax is soft enough to be removed easily by irrigation.
Contradictions to ear irrigation
Irrigation should not be carried out when the patient:
Has a perforation or there is a history of mucous discharge in the last year
Has had a history of middle ear infection in the last 6 weeks
Has had an untoward experience following this procedure in the past;
Has had previous ear surgery of any kind; e.g. mastoidectomy (apart from grommets that have extruded at least 18months previously and the patient has been discharged from the ENT dept)
Has grommets in place (if over 18m old and discharged from ENT clinic then may proceed)
Has evidence of otitis externa
The patient has a cleft palate (repaired or not)
Precautions
Tinnitus – people with troublesome tinnitus may notice that when the wax is removed and their hearing improves the tinnitus may increase in severity – discuss the procedure with the patient in detail and document consent in patients’ records
Healed perforation – discuss on an individual basis – consider referral for suction removal
Dizziness
Patients should be advised to use olive oil usually for a minimum of seven days, to soften the wax prior to irrigation. (Appendix 1)
Specific responsibilities and accountability
The employer must ensure the following: –
That all staff has access to a policy on ear care.
Appropriate training is available to staff in order to carry out these procedures.
All staff who carry out ear irrigation need to be competent and accountable for what they do and attend theoretical and practical training in ear care which includes recognition of ear problems.
To have a system in place to ensure the availability of safe and appropriate equipment. Equipment needs annual maintenance checks
Staff need to ensure the safe use of equipment provided according to the policy.
Managers have a responsibility to ensure that all the above criteria are met, through appropriate and effective strategies for the safe use of equipment and that any incidents are managed effectively according to the policy.
Areas for training needs must be highlighted and addressed. This can be undertaken through appraisals or supervision and a record of competencies kept for audit and standard purposes.
Training skills
Qualified nurses undertaking this procedure must have undertaken ear irrigation training, which includes recognition of ear problems, safe ear care treatment including instruction and practical assessment on the use of the electronic irrigator and mentored by a suitably trained and qualified nurse
Nurses must be competent and confident that their skills and knowledge are
maintained and up to date. (NMC Code of conduct April 2008)5
How often do I need to update my skills?
We would advise every two years for an invasive procedure such as irrigation. This does not have to be a formal training course but can be during clinical supervision where a colleague observes your practice and technique and feeds back to you.
Equipment required to undertake ear irrigation
Waterproof cape and disposable towel
Otoscope with a number of different sized disposable specula and spare batteries
Head mirror and light or mobile light;
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Propulse 2 or 3 irrigator (ensuring that it is used appropriately and serviced to the agreed standard) with disposable tips
Access to warm water at 370c
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Noots receiver – consider disposable
Examination of the ear
Before examining the ear, take a detailed history and discuss the patients’ concerns regarding their loss of hearing. Explain the procedure and take informed consent
Ensure you and the patient are seated comfortably –you must be seated at the same level as the patient with good lighting
Examine the pinna, outer meatus and surrounding scalp area for signs of skin lesions, previous surgery, infection, discharge and swelling. Palpate the tragus in order to identify if the patient is having pain
Identify the largest suitable disposable speculum that will fit comfortably into the canal and attach to the otoscope
Hold the otoscope like a pen and gently pull the pinna upwards and outwards to straighten the EAM. Rest the small digit on the patient’s head as a trigger for any unexpected head movement
Use the light to observe the direction of the ear canal and the tympanic membrane. There is improved visualisation of the eardrum by using the left hand for the left ear and the right hand for the right ear but clinical judgement must be used to assess your own ability.
Insert the speculum gently into the meatus to pass through the hairs at the entrance to the canal, and using gentle movements of the otoscope and the patient’s head, examine all the walls of the canal.
Ear irrigation procedure
Before careful physical examination of both ears, take a comprehensive history to determine if there are any contraindications as to why irrigation should not be performed
Check whether the patient has had his/her ears irrigated before.
Use the checklist to help identify patients who may be included or excluded .(Appendix 2)
Informed consent has been given and documented. (NMC 2008) Best practice suggests signed/informed consent (Appendix 2)
Explain the procedure to the patient.
Sit the patient in a chair appropriate for the procedure with the ear to be irrigated facing the nurse
Inspect both ears with the otoscope.
Place the protective cape and disposable towel in position, and ask the patient to hold the receiver under the ear.
Check your head light or mobile light is in place. Check the temperature of the water using a lotion thermometer to approximately 37oc.4 Remember any variation by more than a few degrees may cause the patient to feel dizzy. If this occurs, stop irrigating, and ask the patient to fix his gaze on some object for a few minutes until the dizziness passes.
The nurse should be sitting at the same level as the patient when carrying out this procedure.
Use of a Propulse 11 or 111 irrigator
Fill the reservoir of the Propulse irrigator with warm water to 370c. Set the pressure to minimum.
Connect disposable jet tip applicator to tubing of machine with firm push/twist action. Push until click is felt.
Direct the jet tip into the reservoir and switch on the machine for 10 – 20 seconds in order to circulate to water through the system and eliminate any trapped air or cold water. This also enables the patient to accept the noise the machine makes.
Gently pull the pinna upwards and outwards to straighten the meatus.
Place the tip of the nozzle into the external auditory meatus entrance. Nothing should be inserted into the ear further than the part that can be seen from the outside. Warn the patient that you are about to start and that if they have any symptoms of pain, dizziness or nausea, to inform you. Switch the machine on (using either foot or hand control). Direct the stream of water onto the posterior wall of the canal. (11 o’clock in the right ear and 1 o’clock in the left ear). Increase the pressure switch as determined by the aural condition. It is advisable that a maximum of 2 reservoirs of water is used in any one irrigation procedure.
If you have not managed to remove the wax within 5minutes of irrigation, it may be worthwhile moving on to the other ear, as the introduction of water via the irrigating procedure will soften the wax and you can retry irrigation after about 15minutes
Periodically inspect the meatus with the auriscope and inspect the solution running into the receiver.
After removal of the wax, ask the patient to dry mop the excess water from the meatus. Dry mop excess water from meatus under direct vision because stagnation of water and any abrasion of the skin during the procedure may predispose the otitis externa to infection.
Examine ear, both meatus and tympanic membrane, and refer to doctor if there is severe inflammation or trauma. Record all findings and treatment in the patients’ notes as per NMC guidance on record keeping
Give advice regarding ear care and patient information sheet for post procedure. (Appendix 3)
NB Irrigation should NEVER cause pain. If the patient complains of pain – STOP IMMEDIATELY
PROPULSE CLEANING GUIDELINES (an example) – please refer to manufacturer’s guidance on individual Propulse irrigators
At the beginning of the day or ear irrigation session:
Turn off electricity supply
Place one Precept cleaning tablet into the reservoir and fill with warm water to the 5OOml mark.
Once Precept tablet has dissolved, run the Propulse for a few seconds to allow the solution to fill the pump and flexible tubing.
Leave to stand for 10 minutes.
Ensure that the cleaning and disinfection solution is not left in the unit for more than 10 minutes.
Flush the unit through with water and dry thoroughly.
Always follow manufacturers’ guidelines
Annual servicing of the irrigator is recommended.
Cleaning of Noots ear tank
Clean with detergent solution
Rinse under hot water.
Dry thoroughly
Appendix 1
Patient Information leaflet
Appendix 2
CHECKLIST / CONSENT FORM
Name………………………………………………………………………… D.O.B………..…………
| Past history | Rt ear
Yes / No |
comments |
Left Ear
Yes / No |
comments |
| Previous problem following ear irrigation | ||||
| Recent ear perforation | ||||
| Previous ear surgery e.g. mastoidectomy | ||||
| Discharge from the ear | ||||
| Current or recent ear infection | ||||
| Catarrh or cold | ||||
| Ear pain | ||||
| Grommets | ||||
| Cleft palate | ||||
| Foreign body in situ | ||||
| Use of olive oil appropriately for a minimum of 7 days |
The nurse has asked questions related to the above conditions. She/he has explained the proposed treatment, and given me information on ear care. I understand that ear irrigation carries a rare risk of perforation to the eardrum.
I understand and consent to the proposed treatment.
Signature………………………………….. Date ……………………
References.
1Sharp et al 1990 ear wax removal: a survey of current practice. British medical Journal 90(301):1251-1252(Price, 1997).
2 Rogers R1997How safe is your ear syringing? Community nurse June 28-29
3Thurgood K1995. ear wax removal: a survey of current practice. British journal of nursing 12:682-686
4 Primary care ear centre The Rotherham NHS Foundation Trust March 2011
5NMC Code of conduct April 2008
6NMC guidance on record keeping July 2007
7www.ENTnursing.com
Version Control
| Date | Version | Author | Change Details |
| 14/06/2024 | 1 | AM | Full review |