Ear swabs may be taken in cases of obvious discharge from ear or to investigate for MRSA bacteria

Follow the procedure as below

• Explain the procedure to the patient and the attendees
• Wash hands with antibacterial soap and water or use the bactericidal hand solution
• Make sure that no antibacterial solution or drops have been used in the last 3 days
  before taking the swab
• In younger children, you can make them sit on the parent’s lap to calm them. You can request the parent to turn the head of the child to one side and firmly fix their head in position by holding the forehead with their palm. 
• Hold the ear pinna and pull it gently outwards and backwards to straighten the ear canal
• Now gently looking into the ear canal put the clean swab into the ear making rotational
  movements avoiding excessive insertion.
• Place the specimens in an appropriate container with the details of the patients and the
  type of specimen and send it to the lab
• Make sure you document it in the notes.