Procedure/ Care Plan for Domiciliary Care Workers/ Support Workers Instillation of Ear Drops (Adult)

Transcription

1 Procedure/ Care Plan for Domiciliary Care Workers/ Support Workers Instillation of Ear Drops (Adult) CLINICAL GUIDELINES ID TAG Medicines Management Specific Title: Procedure: Instillation of ear drops (Adult) Author: Specialty/ Division: Directorate: Elizabeth Smyth Pharmacy Older People and Primary Care Learning Disability Mental Health Date Uploaded: July 2018 Review Date July 2020 Clinical Guidelines ID: CG0100[1]

2 Procedure/ Care Plan for Domiciliary Care Workers/ Support Workers Instillation of Ear Drops (Adult) Service user s name: Address: Definition Instillation of ear drops is the delivery of a prescribed ear drop in the appropriate ear Indication for procedure To treat an ear infection To treat inflammation of the ear To soften wax for later removal Equipment Medication Administration Record (MAR)/ Medication Instruction Sheet (MIS) Prescribed ear drops with pharmacy label Patient Information Leaflet (PIL) Clean tissue Cotton wool if appropriate. Disposal bags x2 Gloves

3 Procedure/ Care Plan for Domiciliary Care Workers/ Support Workers Instillation of Ear Drops (Adult) Service user specific information ACTION RATIONALE 1. Wash hands with soap and dry thoroughly or decontaminate with alcohol hand gel 2. Identify the correct, confirm selected medicine is dispensed for that and consult their MAR/ MIS, the prescribed ear drops and the Patient Information Leaflet (PIL) to determine: Name of ear drop Route and method of administration Which ear the drops prescribed for or if both How often ear drops to be instilled, when last instilled and when due (ensuring this has not already been done - check verbally and check medication recording documentation) Discontinuation date if appropriate No of drops prescribed Expiry date of ear drops Date ear drop was opened check expiry of opened bottle (if opening a new bottle record the date on the bottle) Any other specific instructions in the PIL NB ensure that the information/ directions on the MAR/ MIS matches the information/ directions on the pharmacy label of the prescribed ear drops cross infection that the right person is given the right dose of the right medication via the right route at the right time 3. Explain procedure and gain consent as per Trust policy understands and gives his/her consent, to allay concerns

4 4. Ask the to either; - sit in an upright position with their head tilted slightly away from the affected ear or - lie on his/her side with the ear to be treated uppermost 5. Prepare a clean hard surface and prepare equipment. If indicated in the PIL warm the drops to body temperature (by rolling the bottle in the hands for several minutes before the instillation) 6. Wash hands with soap and dry thoroughly or decontaminate with alcohol hand gel and put on disposable (single use) gloves Do not touch the tip of the medicine dropper or let it touch anything. Set lid on clean surface turned upright 7. Pull the outer lobe of the ear back wards and upwards. Hold the medicine dropper just above the entrance to the ear canal the best position for instillation of the drops. comfort for procedure is carried out effectively, efficiently and safely trauma to the cross infection contamination To prepare the ear for insertion of the drop and ensure the drop reaches the required area (Do not place the medicine dropper tip directly into the ear canal) Squeeze out the correct number of drops If the complains of pain- stop and report to GP infection or trauma To obtain expert advice

5 8. Release the ear and request the to remain still for 2-3 minutes. If drops are to soften wax, it is recommended the service user stays lying down with ear treated uppermost for 5-10min 9. When the sits up, wipe away any excess medicine that may drip out of their ear with a clean tissue Do not put cotton wool in the ear afterwards 10. Remove gloves and wash hands with soap and dry thoroughly or decontaminate with alcohol that the medication reaches the ear drum and is absorbed comfort cross infection 11. Recap the bottle making sure you do not touch the tip of the bottle. Store ear drops as instructed in the PIL or bottle Advise / family if stock is low to order more NB all medications should be out of sight and out of reach of children To avoid contamination medication is available for ear drops are stored correctly so that they work properly safety at all times 12. Dispose of any waste as per trust waste disposal policy safe disposal of waste 13. Tidy away all equipment room is left tidy 14. Record procedure in medication recording documentation and report any concerns procedure is recorded and all problems reported.

6 Healthcare Professional Signature: good communication and reduce risk of error Designation: Date Procedure / Care Plan implemented: