Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 8, 2026
Robot-Assisted Transcanal Endoscopic Ear Surgery for Congenital Cholesteatoma
Published on: December 15, 2023
Removal of foreign bodies from children's ears: a nurse-led clinic
Jo Williams1, Adal Mirza, Kim To
1Birmingham Children's Hospital, UK. jo.williams@bch.nhs.uk
Insights
Nurse practitioners can successfully remove foreign bodies from children's ears, improving patient outcomes. This shift in practice enhances the effectiveness of pediatric ear foreign body removal services.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Otolaryngology
- Advanced Practice Nursing
- Healthcare Quality Improvement
Background:
- Foreign body removal from pediatric ears traditionally involves junior doctors.
- Low success rates were observed in pediatric ear foreign body removal at a specific hospital.
- This indicated a need for improved clinical practice and patient outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the effectiveness of an advanced nurse practitioner (ANP) in removing foreign bodies from children's ears.
- To compare outcomes of nurse-led removal with traditional doctor-led procedures.
- To improve patient outcomes in pediatric ear foreign body management.
Main Methods:
- A change in practice was implemented, assigning foreign body removal to an ANP.
- Outcomes data were collected prospectively for the nurse-led clinic.
- Data were compared with a historical or concurrent doctor-led clinic at another institution.
Main Results:
- The nurse-led approach demonstrated a higher success rate in foreign body removal.
- Improved patient outcomes were associated with the ANP-led service.
- This highlights the efficacy of specialized nursing roles in pediatric ENT care.
Conclusions:
- Advanced nurse practitioners are effective in managing pediatric ear foreign bodies.
- Nurse-led services can improve outcomes and potentially optimize resource allocation.
- This model offers a viable alternative for enhancing pediatric ear foreign body removal services.
Abstract:
This article presents an account of the rationale for and the introduction of a change in practice. The successful removal of foreign bodies from children's ears requires appropriate skills and experience. While traditionally a role for junior doctors, removal of foreign bodies from children's ears at the ear, nose and throat outpatient clinic at Birmingham Children's Hospital was associated with a low success rate. Therefore, it was proposed that an experienced advanced nurse practitioner would carry out this task in an attempt to improve patient outcomes. A database of outcomes was maintained and compared with those from a doctor-led clinic at Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust. The results highlight the benefits of nurse-led removal of foreign bodies from children's ears.
Related Concept Videos
01:26Endoscopic Studies II: Thoracocentesis
Description
Excess pleural fluid or air may accumulate in some respiratory disorders in the thoracic cavity. To treat pleural effusion, a physician conducts thoracentesis by carefully piercing the chest wall and entering...
01:30Specialized Care Centers and Settings-II
Rural health centers are specialized care facilities in remote locations with very few medical personnel. The primary care providers who run the centers are mostly Registered Nurse Practitioners. Here, emergency treatment is provided to critically ill or injured patients before they are transferred to the closest hospital. Fortunately, due to advancement in technology, many rural healthcare facilities and professionals have easy access to diagnostic and treatment...
01:29Suctioning the Nasopharyngeal Airway
Equipment Required
01:25Suctioning the Oropharyngeal Airway
After assembling the equipment, the nurse should practice hand hygiene and don appropriate PPE according to infection control guidelines to avoid the...