Otitis Media

This condition is treated in the Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) clinic.

Pre-referral work-up

History

All referrals should comply to the referral standards and include:

Acute OM

• Only to be referred as emergency with signs of Mastoiditis

Chronic OM (Chronic Suppurative OM)

• Examination findings of tympanic perforation, mucopurulent discharge
• History of recurrent Acute OM
• Tuning fork testing consistent with conductive or sensorineural hearing loss

Tests

• Swab for m/c/s

Interim/GP management

To refer a patient with this condition, please see the ENT clinic page for the full referral process and templates.

• Protect ear from water exposure
• Aural toilet (not syringing) if experienced
• Topical ciprofloxacin ear drops

For more information please see the HealthPathways Tasmania website.

Clinic appointments

🚩 Red location flags are clinical indicators of possible serious underlying conditions requiring further medical intervention. They may or may not indicate an emergency.

Emergency

🚩 Mastoiditis

🚩 Neurological signs

If you, or someone else, are experiencing a serious and life-threatening injury or illness call triple zero (000) immediately or go to the nearest Emergency Department.

Learn more about when to access emergency care and non-emergency care options if the injury or illness is not serious or life-threatening.

Semi-urgent (Category 2)

• Persistent despite treatment

Availability

North

Launceston General Hospital
Level 3 - Specialist Clinics

Phone: 1300 977 694
Fax: 03 6777 5227

North West

Unavailable.
See HealthPathways Tasmania for more information

South

Wellington Clinics
Phone: 03 6166 0000
Fax: 03 6234 9454

To contact the on-call ENT Registrar, phone the switchboard on 03 6166 8308.