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When wax builds in a patient’s ear canal, nurses may need to perform an ear irrigation. If performed incorrectly, ear irrigations can lead to adverse events such as infection and tympanic membrane perforation. Manually removing earwax with instruments like forceps requires adequate visualization, training, experience, and a cooperative patient. This article will focus on the art of ear irrigations, an essential task for nurses and other medical staff. Mastering these skills may open doors in a nurse’s career and contribute to higher patient satisfaction rates. (Click here to see our complete list of the most common nursing duties and responsibilities). Nurses assist their patients in several ways. Depending on their work environment, they may need to irrigate ears to remove ear wax or remove foreign objects from their patient’s ear canal. Typically, it’s performed on patients who suffer a wax buildup that weakens their hearing. If you’re studying to become a Registered Nurse (RN), it would be beneficial to learn the proper technique for ear irrigation in a medical environment. Definition of Ear IrrigationEar irrigation is a procedure in which nurses flush their patient’s ear canal with sterile water or saline solution. This is usually done to cleanse the ear canal of any discharge, soften and remove impacted ear wax, or extricate a foreign body from a patient’s ear. Some common terms associated with ear irrigation:
How Long Does It Take to Irrigate an Ear?Irrigation is typically a safe and relatively comfortable method of earwax removal. Most professionals can complete the entire process in about 30 minutes or less. Who Administers Ear Irrigation?Various healthcare professionals can perform ear irrigations. In most healthcare settings, nurses will often be required to perform ear irrigations on their patients. It may sound like a simple procedure, but ear irrigations can easily lead to infection or ruptured eardrums if performed incorrectly. Nurses who handle these procedures must take all the necessary precautions. Some RNs may even be tasked with training new employees on how to perform ear irrigations. (Click here to learn how to become a nurse). Training Requirements for Ear IrrigationWhen manually removing earwax, an RN must be familiar with the anatomy of the ear. They should also be competent in using instruments like an otoscope, headlamp, or binocular microscope. Why? If performed incorrectly, they could pierce the membrane or cause trauma associated with pain, bleeding, and laceration. To lower the potential for these adverse outcomes, nurses should receive the appropriate education and adequate training required to properly perform an ear irrigation. Some organizations have created educational modules for ear irrigation that nurses and Medical Assistants (MAs) complete in addition to their required training. After the module has ended, these healthcare professionals practice ear irrigations on a medical mannequin. Then, they demonstrate their competency to a nurse educator, who will assess them using a skills checklist. Necessary Equipment for Ear IrrigationTo perform ear irrigation, you’ll typically need:
Ear Irrigation ProcedureA Detailed Guide to Irrigate a Patient’s EarBy reviewing the following steps, you can begin to learn more about the process of ear irrigation. Like any other skill, ear irrigation requires both time and practice to master. While in school, try not to feel disheartened if you don’t get it right the first time, and don’t hesitate to ask for your instructor’s help. Ear Irrigation StepsThe following are some of the general guidelines you should follow when performing a manual ear irrigation:
Ear Irrigation RecoveryBecause earwax contains protective properties, the ear canal is more vulnerable to infection once it has been removed. Until it produces new wax, instruct your patient to keep their ear dry and not allow any water entry for at least five days. The patient should consult a doctor immediately if they experience pain, dizziness, reduced hearing, or discharge. Pro Tips for Mastering the Art of Ear IrrigationHere are a few tips that may assist you with ear irrigations in the future:
Why Should Nurses Learn How to Administer Ear Irrigation?Supporting the healthcare team by providing ear irrigations may often be part of a nurse’s routine. Performing this task successfully can help facilitate the healing process and contribute to your patient’s overall comfort. Some organizations feel that every facility should employ nurses or assistants trained in ear irrigation. They state that the gold standard of ear care provision and patient safety would be the widespread availability of microsuction. They also believe that new patients should be asked about their hearing during that first appointment. In addition, children and people with cognitive impairment or learning disabilities should have their ears examined at every appointment. A doctor or a nurse could perform this exam. Take the First Step Toward Your FutureUnitek College offers several nursing programs for aspiring nurses, including our BSN program and Vocational Nursing school. Contact us today to learn more about our programs and tuition assistance options. Take the first step toward a rewarding future in healthcare! |