Adherence to the Otitis Media with Effusion Clinical Practice Guideline by Providers in a United States Air Force Medical Treatment Facility
Abstract
Clinical practice guidelines are developed to minimize variations in treatment patterns while assisting healthcare providers in clinical decision making. The United States Agency for Health Care Policy and Research published the Otitis Media with Effusion (OME) in Young Children Clinical Practice Guideline Number 12 widely disseminated by 1996. The guideline provides information on diagnostic criteria, hearing evaluations, environmental risk factors, therapeutic interventions, and a treatment algorithm. Initial treatment for OME does not require antibiotic therapy lessening microbial drug resistance. Little documentation exists reporting the application of this guideline. This study used a descriptive quantitative design to examine adherence to this guideline by healthcare providers in a United States Air Force Medical Treatment Facility. A total of 196 medical records of children diagnosed with otitis media were audited using a checklist developed from the treatment algorithm. Twenty-three of these children had OME. Using summary statistics, the audit showed antibiotics, decongestants, antihistamines, steroids and surgery were not used as per guideline recommendations. Areas of low compliance were use of the six-week follow-up interval, documentation of environmental risk factor control counseling, and documentation of the use of pneumatic otoscopy and/or tympanometry to evaluate the tympanic membrane for OME and acute otitis media.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 07, 1999
- Accession Number
- ADA363334
Entities
People
- Paula L. Pengilly
Organizations
- Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences