Introduction
The Welch Allyn Ear Wash System
is an easy-to-afford, easy-to-use ear irrigation system to remove
cerumen without the mess.
Product
Overview and Description
Ear washing is one of the most commonly performed procedures in
the primary care office. The Welch Allyn Ear Wash System provides
a safe and effective way to remove cerumen from patients of all
ages. This method of irrigation is much cleaner and safer than other
irrigation methods currently on the market. Since it is easy to
use with built-in safety and simplicity, any health-care worker
within your facility can use it.
Product
Use and Procedure
The
Welch Allyn Ear Wash System with Hydrovac Action is a totally
revolutionary concept in cerumen removal. This breakthrough
technology features simultaneous irrigation and suction, which
means all the water and cerumen are contained and disposed
of.
Click
here to view the step by step procedure or to watch a
video of how the ear wash system works from Welch Allyn's
website.
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Features
and Benefits
 |
Simplicity of operation--quick
and easy set up.
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Pressure regulation--regulates
the output pressure to prevent damage to the tympanic membrane
or ossicular chain.
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Temperature indicator/control--light
will turn green when the water is at body temperature, and
will automatically turn off if the water gets too hot.
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Suctioning action--to
reduce messy 'outflow'.
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Multi-functional
disposable tip--provides
a seal at the ear canal. It has an outflow channel to direct
water back to the drain, and a filter in the tip collects
the cerumen - allowing the practitioner to see when the cleaning
is complete. The tips can be used on children and adults.
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Portability--can be moved
from room to room easily, or transported off-site if necessary.
All necessary components store easily in the storage tray.
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Affordable and Reimbursable
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Frequently
Asked Questions
| Q: |
I
am using my System and I am not able to remove any earwax.
|
| A: |
Is the temperature
sensor changing to white? The water needs to be warm enough.
If the temperature sensor is white the water should be between
90-95 degrees. Try using an earwax-softening agent prior to
the procedure. Rotate the handle while performing the procedure.
The object is to have the water circulate all around the external
ear canal.
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| Q: |
Why
is it advised not to use this on Diabetic patients or those
who are immune compromised? |
| A: |
Typically
these patients have an altered healing process. It is always
advised to check with the physician prior to performing any
procedure.
|
| Q: |
Are
there multiple size tips available? |
| A: |
The Ear
Wash System includes tips that are 9mm in diameter. There
may be different sizes (i.e., pediatric) in the future.
|
| Q: |
How
far into the ear canal should I go with the ear tip? Could
I hurt the patient? |
| A: |
The ear
tip should be placed into the ear canal until it is flush
against the canal walls. The length of the ear tip is about
a half-inch, which is about one half the length of an average
ear canal. Even if the ear tip is fully inserted into the
canal, it is not long enough to injure the eardrum.
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| Q: |
What
is the best way of disposing of the ear tip? |
| A: |
According
to the Center for Disease Control, cerumen is not classified
as a biohazard. As a result, the disposable ear tips may be
disposed of in any trash receptacle.
|
| Q: |
Can
we use the same ear tip for cleaning both ears of a patient? |
| A: |
A: This
depends on the amount of earwax that is removed. If both ears
are fully occluded, the ear tip may be full after cleaning
one ear. If this is the case, dispose of the full ear tip
and replace with a new one for the other ear. In cases with
less cerumen, one ear tip may be used on both ears but must
be disposed of after that patient.
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| Q: |
Does
this system remove cerumen faster than my current method? |
| A: |
As with
all current cerumen removal methods, there is a great deal
of variability in the amount of time the procedure takes.
Typically the procedure takes between 30 seconds to 5 minutes,
depending on the type of cerumen and whether or not a wax
softener is used. In severe cases, the process could take
significantly longer. An advantage of the Welch Allyn Ear
Wash System when compared to current methods is the small
amount of preparation and clean up time involved, thus a potential
reduction in patient visit time.
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| Q: |
Which
health care professionals can administer the Welch Allyn Ear
Wash System's procedure? |
| A: |
Due to the
safety features and ease of use, the Welch Allyn Ear Wash
System can be used effectively and safely by doctors, nurses,
nurse practitioners, physician assistants and any health care
allied professional.
|
| Q: |
What
makes the Welch Allyn Ear Wash System unique? |
| A: |
Welch Allyn's
Hydrovac technology uses simultaneous irrigation and suction,
which means all water and discharge will be returned to the
unit for disposal.
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| Q: |
Can
I get reimbursement for this procedure? |
| A: |
Under CPT
Code 69210, "Removal of Impacted Cerumen in One or Both
Ears" is a reimbursable procedure in the US. In other
countries, refer to your appropriate health care agency.
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| Q: |
What
is the pressure coming out of the eartip of the Welch Allyn Ear Wash
System? What faucet line pressure is required to use the Welch Allyn
Ear Wash System? |
| A: |
PSI is an abbreviation
for Pounds per Square Inch and is the unit for measuring pressure.
The pressure coming out of the ear tip ranges between 10 - 13 PSI
depending on the faucet pressure. This level is low enough to ensure
the ear canal walls will not be damaged.
The Welch Allyn Ear Wash System has been designed to work with a wide
range of faucet pressures, ranging from 40 - 100 PSI, typical pressure
is 40 - 70 PSI. This means that even when your faucet is turned all
the way up, the Welch Allyn Ear Wash System will maintain an acceptable
outputt.
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| Q: |
Will
the Welch Allyn Ear Wash System work with my faucet? |
| A: |
The Welch
Allyn Ear Wash System is supplied with adapters which may
be needed depending on the type of faucet you have.
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Technical
Specifications
| Faucet
Water Source |
Pressure
Range: 40 - 100 PSI (689kPa - 758kPa)
Minimum Source Water Flow Rate: 7.51/min (2 gal/min)
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| Water
Jet from Ear Tip |
Pressure:
10 - 13 PSI (69kPa - 90kPa)
Flow Rate: 125mL (0.033 gal) of water per 20 sec. operating pressure.
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| Pressure
Chamber |
Operating
Temperature: 50º F to 104º F (10º C to 40º
C),
Storage Temperature: -40º F to 120º F (-40º
C to +49º C). |
Articles
/ Manual
Below are a few web sites that offer useful information on cerumen
for both you and your patient:
http://www.merck.com/pubs/mmanual/section7/chapter83/83b.htm
http://www.midwestear.com/educatd.htm
http://www.virginia.edu/~std-hlth/ailments/earwax.html
Warranty
One Year Standard warranty from date of purchase (See Operator's
Instruction Manual for details).
Reimbursement
The Welch Allyn Ear Wash System can pay for itself! Under CPT Code
69210, "Removal of Impacted Cerumen in One or Both Ears"
is a reimbursable procedure in the United States. In other countries,
refer to your appropriate health care agency.
Customer Testimonials
and Example Uses
Please read these testimonials from the Welch Allyn website.
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"The
procedure is comfortable and safe for the patient. The patient doesn't
get soaked, as is usually the case with the traditional syringe method.
I have been extremely happy with the results. I will never go back
to the old syringe spraying method."
Debra A. Buchan, M.D., Assistant Professor
SUNY Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, New York
"I am impressed with the performance of the Welch Allyn Ear Wash
System. It is easy to use, safe and effective in removing cerumen
from the ear canal. I would suggest you try this instrument in your
practice, and feel that you will be pleased with its performance."
Ross J. Roeser, Ph.D.
University of Texas at Dallas, Callier Center for Communication Disorders
"The new Welch Allyn Ear Wash System has been a wonderful addition
to the therapeutic tools in my practice. It has demonstrated superior
efficacy and excellent patient tolerance. I truly believe that the
innovative approach to this device in improving the efficiency of
cerumen removal will be recognized by many pediatric health providers."
Robert A. Dracker, M.D., M.H.A., F.A.A.P.
North Area Pediatrics, North Syracuse, NY
West Area Pediatrics, Camillus, NY
"The
system is so safe and easy to teach that my staff easily accomplishes
the task without supervision, freeing me for other patient services.
My patients have been pleased with the ease and comfort of the overall
cerumen process. Since I have been using this system the frequency
of patient care cleaning has increased markedly, helping my patients
hearing and improving my office income."
Ray
T. Forbes, MD
Internist Associates of CNY
Syracuse, NY
"The
procedure was easy even for our cognitively impaired residents; these
residents showed no signs of discomfort. Our alert residents stated
the procedure was less invasive and much more comfortable than other
methods used on them in the past. This piece of equipment was easy
to use, affordable and would eliminate scheduling outside appointments
for our residents to have this procedure done."
Monica Moochler, RN
Director of Nursing
Donald F. Titus, Jr.
Administrator
Auburn Nursing Home
Auburn, NY
"Using my new irrigation, patients don't squint and worry during
irrigation. Instead, they sit back and relax as most note it actually
feels good! And…I no longer get wet, which is equally as important!"
Thomas D. Schwieterman, MD
Family Physician
Maria Stein, OH
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Product
Ordering Information
| SH
Catalog # |
Product
Name |
| 42075 |
Welch
Allyn Ear Wash System |
|
