Look at the new AAP guidelines5 and the evidence report from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality.6 Both contain lots of good information on management of AOM. Let’s take the initiative to retrain clinicians (including ourselves) on pneumatic otoscopy. If you have not performed it in a while, practice it whenever you do an exam. Dig out that green bulb and tube, which is probably tucked away in an exam room drawer, and use it! It may seem “old hat” to you—but everything old is new again.
When was the last time you performed pneumatic otoscopy? Email me at NPEditor@frontlinemedcom.com.
References
1. Strategies to Address Antimicrobial Resistance Act [HR2285.IH]. www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/BILLS-113hr2285ih/pdf/BILLS-113hr2285ih.pdf. Accessed August 7, 2013.
2. The Public Health and Welfare (42 USC Sec. 247d-5). http://uscode.house.gov/uscode-cgi/fastweb.exe?getdoc+uscview+t41t42+491+11++%28Section%20.
3. Kestenbaum L. First do no harm [blog post]. www.healio.com/pediatrics/blogs/lori-kestenbaum-md/first-do-no-harm#. Accessed August 7, 2013.
4. Zoler ML. Tympanic membrane now keys otitis media diagnosis. Pediatric News. www.pediatricnews.com/index.php?id=7791 &cHash=071010&tx_ttnews[tt_news] =140909. Accessed August 7, 2013.
5. American Academy of Pediatrics Subcommittee on Management of Acute Otitis Media. Diagnosis and management of acute otitis media. http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/113/5/1451.full. Accessed August 7, 2013.
6. Shekelle PG, Takata G, Newberry SJ, et al. Management of Acute Otitis Media: Update (Evidence Report/Technology Assessment No 198). Rockville, MD: Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. November 2010. www.ahrq.gov/research/findings/evidence-based-reports/otitisup-evidence-report.pdf. Accessed August 7, 2013.