Can trained nurses exclude acute otitis media with tympanometry or acoustic reflectometry in symptomatic children?

ABSTRACT:

Objective

Since acute otitis media (AOM) is the most prevalent bacterial infection in young children, the reliable exclusion of AOM by nurses might save physicians' time for other duties. The study aim was to determine whether nurses without otoscopic experience can reliably use tympanometry or spectral gradient acoustic reflectometry (SG-AR) to exclude AOM.

Design

Three nurses were trained, who performed examinations with tympanometry and SG-AR. Pneumatic otoscopy by the study physician served as the diagnostic standard.

Setting

Study clinic at primary health care level.

Patients

281 children 6-35 months of age.

Main outcome measures

Predictive values (with 95% confidence interval) for tympanometry and SG-AR, and the clinical usefulness, i.e. the propor

SUBMITTER: Laine MK 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4750740 | biostudies-literature | 2015

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature