DEFINITION: An ear installation is a solution of topical medicine prepared for administration into the ear canal. Medicine instilled into the ear is absorbed through the skin of the ear canal and membranes of the eardrum.
MEDICAL equipment:
Drug chart & clinical record A clean tray containing:
Cotton-tipped
Applicator
Cotton Balls
Medications Tissue
Kidney tray
PROCEDURE: 1. Identify the patient carefully as follows:
Ask the patient his/her name or call out the patient’s name and re-confirm
Check the name & the UHID on the identification band
2. Confirmation of the medication (drug card):
Check the name, dosage, form of medicine, time of administration with the patient’s drug card.
3. Check the drug card and the patient’s record for any allergies to medications
4. Perform hand hygiene
5. Arrange all the required articles
6. Explain the procedure to the patient
7. Place the patient in a side-lying position with the affected ear facing up
8. Straighten the ear canal by pulling the pinna down and back for children or upward and outward for adults
9. The drops are instilled into the ear canal by holding the dropper at least ½ inch above the ear canal
10. Instruct the patient to maintain the position for 2-3 minutes
11. Place a cotton ball in the outermost part of the ear canal
12. Wash hand
13. Record the drug, a number of drops, date & time administered, a signature of the nurse on the drug card & clinical notes as appropriate.
