When to refer: validating the Evidence‐based Acute Otitis Externa Referral Score (EARS). Our experience of 287 cases of otitis externa in Primary Care

Abstract

Recognising individuals at risk of developing complications from acute otitis externa would assist General Practitioners in their decision to manage cases in Primary Care or seek referral to a specialist service.

The Evidence‐based Acute Otitis Externa Referral Score (EARS) is a novel risk‐stratification score aimed at recognising patients at risk of developing complications of acute otitis externa.

The EAR Score had a sensitivity of 100% and specificity of 90%. A negative‐predictive value of 100% may help re‐assure General Practitioners that low‐scoring patients can be managed in Primary Care.

Our experience of treatment prescribed in acute otitis externa corroborates the NICE guidelines for topical treatment (77%).

The most common organism isolated were Pseudomonas species (54%). Topical therapy should therefore be targeted towards this.

When to refer: validating the Evidence‐based Acute Otitis Externa Referral Score (EARS).

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