EAR CULTURE

The process of obtaining drainage

samples from the ear canal to identify
an infecting organism..
This is rarely necessary in choosing an
antibiotic for acute infections..
When long term drainage is present,
such as in chronic otitis media, cultures
are more helpful because multiple
pathogenic organism can be present..
 PROCEDURE…
• 1. Cleanse the ear with mild germiside to
exclude contaminating skin flora in cases of
external otitis.
• 2. USE STERILE SWAB OR SYRINGE AND NEEDLE
to collect needle ear fluid. Cultures from the
mastoid usually are taken during surgery.
• 3. do not refrigerate specimens, and deliver to
the laboratpry as soon as possible after
collection.
 INTERVENTION
• PRE-TEST PATIENT CARE…
1. explain the purpose and procedure for the
culture. Record signs and symptoms of ear
infection, pain, redness, and/ or drainage.

POST TEST PATIENT CARE

2. Interpret test outcome, monitor site of
infection, and counsel appropriately.
 REFERENCE VALUES
-NORMAL VALUES-
• LOW COUNT OF S.EPIDEARMIDIS,
LACTOBACILLUS spp., and
PROPIONOBACTERIUM ACNES may be found
in ear culture.
 COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHY
CT without a contrast medium is the
most commonly ordered CT Scan for
imaging the temporal bone.
Contrast is not generally needed
because most bony structure are
well seen. Contrast may be used to
delineate vascular or soft tissue
structures.