Open Forum

We would like to begin a nurse clinic for ear lavage in our VA Primary Care Clinic. 

1.     If nurses or techs perform ear lavage in your primary care clinics, would you share your written policy?

2.     Which staff are permitted to perform ear lavage?

3.     Does a provider examine the ear before another staff member performs the lavage?

4.     If you use a manual lavage like the elephant bottle, how do you ensure proper water temperature?

5.     Do you soften the cerumen first with a substance like docusate?

6.  Have you experienced adverse effects such as vertigo, and how are those managed?

thank you!

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Cathy Hebert PhD RN GCNS-BC
Charles George VAMC
Asheville NC
(828) 712-4811
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My name is Bonnie, and I am a Clinical Staff trainer for our organization.   We do not have a clear policy or protocol on Ear Lavage either, and I was wondering if I could also take a look at yours?  I know we are supposed to have informed consent, but other than that it is clear as mud and I would like to develop a protocol/policy for our board to approve.

Best Regards,

Bonnie

My email is bhooper@phcinc.net.  This would be greatly appreciated.

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Bonnie Hooper
RN
Primary HealthCare
Des Moines IA
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Original Message:
Sent: 10-23-2024 12:42
From: Sharon Peacock
Subject: Ear Lavage in Primary Care

Hello Cathy,

Our organization allows clinical staff to perform ear lavage. What is your email? I will send you our document.  

 

Thank you,

 

Sharon J-J Peacock, MSN-Ed., RN, AMB-BC

Nursing Professional Development Generalist

Sentara Ambulatory Services Division

 

Office: 434-654-4529

Email: SJPEACOC@sentara.com | SASDClinEduTeam@sentara.com

590 Peter Jefferson Parkway, Suite 323, Charlottesville, VA 22911

 

RQI: RQI_SASD@sentara.com | Resuscitation Quality Improvement (RQI) (sharepoint.com)

 

 

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Original Message:
Sent: 10/24/2024 10:19:00 AM
From: Bonnie Hooper
Subject: RE: Ear Lavage in Primary Care

My name is Bonnie, and I am a Clinical Staff trainer for our organization.   We do not have a clear policy or protocol on Ear Lavage either, and I was wondering if I could also take a look at yours?  I know we are supposed to have informed consent, but other than that it is clear as mud and I would like to develop a protocol/policy for our board to approve.

Best Regards,

Bonnie

My email is bhooper@phcinc.net.  This would be greatly appreciated.

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Bonnie Hooper
RN
Primary HealthCare
Des Moines IA
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Hi Cathy,

Our clinics have the Medical Assistants primarily perform the ear lavage.  Please see attached policy and let me know if you have further questions.

Sincerely, Leondra Weiss, MN, ARNP, FNP-BC, C-EFM, AMB-BC, Harborview Medical Center, Ambulatory Clinical Nurse Educator

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Leondra Weiss MN, ARNP, FNP-BC, AMB-BC, C-EFM
Clinical Nurse Educator, Family Medicine ARNP
Harborview Medical Center, Sea Mar
Vashon WA
(425) 870-0558
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