Actue Otitis Media

Diagnosis and management of acute otitis media by American Academy of Pediatrics and American Academy of Family Physicians is a filtered resource. (American Academy of Pediatrics, 2004) It is appropriate for this situation. This article describes the different treatment options for children with acute otitis media. This is an evidence based guideline. Causative pathogens, antibiotic resistance and therapeutic considerations in acute otitis media is an evidence summary resource. (Block, 1997) Treatment of acute otitis media in an era of increasing microbial resistance is evidence summary. (McCracken, 1998) Both articles are unfiltered resources. Unfiltered resources require more time and skill to evaluate. These sources are also appropriate for use in the clinic. The article Ear, Nose, and Throat is a filtered resource and is appropriate for use in the clinic. (Kelly, 2007) This is primary research evidence. Interviews with seasoned clinic nurses have also been used. These are unfiltered resources and are evidence summaries. However, these are not appropriate for use in the clinic. The following table summarizes this information.

Source of evidence Type of source Classification Appropriate for use in the clinic?

AAP Filtered Evidence-Based Appropriate

Block Unfiltered Evidence Summary Appropriate

McCracken Unfiltered Evidence Summary Appropriate

Kelly Filtered Primary Research Appropriate

Interviews Unfiltered Evidence Summary Not Appropriate

According to the article Diagnosis and Management of acute otitis Media by American Academy of Pediatrics and American Academy of Family Physicians in 1990 out of the 25 million visit made for otitis media, 20 million resulted in antibiotics being prescribed. (American Academy of Pediatrics, 2004) While all patients with AOM are treated for pain if present. However, the debate is whether or not