Hostname: page-component-8448b6f56d-tj2md Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-04-23T10:45:50.625Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Streamlining grommet pathways for otitis media with effusion and hearing loss in children: our experience

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  13 September 2018

O McLaren ,
E C Toll ,
R Easto ,
E Willis ,
S Harris  and
J Rainsbury
O McLaren*
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology, Torbay Hospital, Torquay, UK
E C Toll
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology, Torbay Hospital, Torquay, UK
R Easto
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology, Royal Cornwall Hospital, Truro, UK
E Willis
Affiliation:
Department of Audiology, Derriford Hospital, Plymouth, UK
S Harris
Affiliation:
Department of Audiology, Derriford Hospital, Plymouth, UK
J Rainsbury
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology, Derriford Hospital, Plymouth, UK
*
Author for correspondence: Mr Oliver McLaren, Department of Otolaryngology, Torbay Hospital, Lawes Bridge Road, Torquay TQ2 7AA, UK E-mail: oliver.mclaren@nhs.net
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

Background

Grommet insertion is a common surgical procedure in children. Long waiting times for grommet insertion are not unusual. This project aimed to streamline the process by introducing a pathway for audiologists to directly schedule children meeting National Institute for Health and Care Excellence Clinical Guideline 60 (‘CG60’) for grommet insertion.

Method and results

A period from June to November 2014 was retrospectively audited. Mean duration between the first audiology appointment and grommet insertion was 294.5 days (median = 310 days). Implementing the direct-listing pathway reduced the duration between first audiology appointment and grommet insertion (mean = 232 days; median = 231 days). There has been a reduction in the time between the first audiology appointment and surgery (mean difference of 62.5 days; p = 0.024), and a reduction in the time between second audiology appointment and surgery (28 days; p = 0.009).

Conclusion

Direct-listing pathways for grommet insertion can reduce waiting times and expedite surgery. Implementation involves a simple alteration of current practice, adhering to National Institute for Health and Care Excellence Clinical Guideline 60. The ultimate decision regarding surgery still rests with ENT specialists.

Keywords

Otitis Media With EffusionOtitis MediaAudiologyHearing LossChildren
Type
Main Articles
Information
The Journal of Laryngology & Otology , Volume 132 , Issue 10 , October 2018 , pp. 881 - 884
Copyright
Copyright © JLO (1984) Limited, 2018 

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

Footnotes

Mr O McLaren takes responsibility for the integrity of the content of the paper

References

1Hospital Episode Statistics: Admitted Patient Care – Procedures and Interventions (2014–15). NHS Digital. In: http://content.digital.nhs.uk/statisticsa-z [15 October 2016]Google Scholar
2Berkman, ND, Wallace, IF, Steiner, MJ, Harrison, M, Greenblatt, AM, Lohr, KN et al. Otitis Media With Effusion: Comparative Effectiveness of Treatments, Report No.: 13-EHC091-EF; AHRQ Comparative Effectiveness Reviews. Rockville, MD: Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, 2013Google Scholar
3American Academy of Family Physicians; American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery; American Academy of Pediatrics Subcommittee on Otitis Media With Effusion. Otitis media with effusion. Pediatrics 2004;113:1412–29Google Scholar
4Lous, J, Burton, MJ, Felding, JU, Ovesen, T, Rovers, MM, Williamson, I. Grommets (ventilation tubes) for hearing loss associated with otitis media with effusion in children. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2005;(25):CD001801Google Scholar
5National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. Otitis media with effusion in under 12s: surgery (Clinical guideline CG60). In: https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/cg60 [12 July 2017]Google Scholar
6Ballini, L, Negro, A, Maltoni, S, Vignatelli, L, Flodgren, G, Simera, I et al. Interventions to reduce waiting times for elective procedures. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2015;(2):CD005610Google Scholar