Ear Care/Aural Hygiene in Primary Care

This course is designed to develop the knowledge and skills required for health professionals to safely assess the need for and perform ear irrigation using specialised ear irrigation devices. The course covers how to perform this procedure in a variety of settings. It is particularly relevant to practices, community care, emergency, residential care and pharmacy settings.

Any prior knowledge needed?
The course is designed to train staff already working in the healthcare settings with appropriate supervision and support to undertake a range of interventions for aural care. The contents of the course are designed for staff without prior knowledge of the aural care. It is also relevant for those who need an update in the skills and knowledge base.

Course Content

Day 1 Knowledge Base
Day 2 Skill Base, Service Management

Practical sessions:
Day 1 examinations
Day 2 ear cleaning

Areas covered:

• Role and responsibilities and clinics
• Accountability guidelines and requirements
• Ear anatomy and physiology
• Clinical context – consultation skills, history taking, differential assessment
• Examination of the ear using an otoscope
• The normal tympanic membrane and common ear problems
• Common ear problems:- foreign bodies, earache, infection, earwax blockage (cerumen impaction)
• Reasons for carrying out ear irrigation
• Relevant policies and procedures
• Risk assessment
• Obtaining informed consent
• Contraindications to ear irrigation
• Health and safety
• Ear irrigation (syringing)
• Complications
• Equipment and consumables
• Infection control, safe disposal and cleaning of equipment
• Appropriate documentation – good record keeping and confidentiality
• Patient advice
• Products & Devices update – Prescription and OTC range
• Potential problems and how to address them
• Discussion and sharing of good practice
• Service Management and Business Case
• What to record
• Competence and supervised practice
• PCT/Practice Documentation policy

Aims/Objectives

• Identify common minor ear abnormalities and ailments
• Be able to take an appropriate clinical history and informed consent
• Be able to correctly use an otoscope and other equipment
• Understand treatment of minor ear problems using best practice rationales
• To be familiar with current clinical evidence and product range
• Understand use and cleaning of necessary equipment
• Correctly irrigate an ear for cerumen impaction and be aware of the complications
• Make appropriate records and refer to other health professionals where necessary

Who should attend?

• Health Care Assistants
• Nurses
• AHPs

Duration

2 days

Price

£270.00 per person, including course materials and a certificate of attendance.

Course dates

In addition to any scheduled courses, we can also deliver this course to groups on your own site. For more information, contact us.

Book your place on this ear care course now.