Idaho CareLine: Dial 2-1-1 or 800-926-2588
Ear Ache or Otitis Media
It’s a common and fairly simple childhood problem — otitis media or ear ache — but it’s driving emergency rooms crazy, causing kids pain, and costing a lot of money. Most children get an ear infection at least once, if not several times, by the time they are three-years-old.
The following information can help when you suspect your child has an ear infection:
Division of Medicaid Pilot Project Aims to Lower ER Visits for Kids' Ear Aches
Ear aches (otitis media) is easily treatable and, in some cases, preventable without an Emergency Room (ER) visit. “The vast majority of ear aches do not need to be treated in an emergency room,” says Health Education Specialist Natalie Bodine. “We’re trying to get Medicaid clients to seek care with their doctor rather than go to the emergency room.” Bodine is coordinator for the pilot that began in August 2003. “We were looking at emergency room utilization and were shocked to find ear aches were the single biggest reason for emergency room visits.” She says in Idaho in 2002, there were 43,276 visits to the ER by 24,720 Medicaid children — from newborns through age nine. Ear aches accounted for more than 9,600 of those visits, or 22 percent. The cost for just going through the doors to treat those ear aches was nearly $400,000. Physician fees, lab work, and some medications were extra. The pilot project will take place in Ada and Kootenai counties. Ada County’s role will be based on sending out educational materials to Medicaid clients, tell them how to treat and prevent ear aches. Kootenai County’s role will be a cooperative effort with Kootenai Medical Center in Coeur d'Alene and large family practice centers. Families whose children have already been to the ER for ear ache will be identified and contacted to reinforce the education process. The childrens’ physicians will be contacted to help concentrate education on specific ear ache cases. “We’ll review the pilot after six months for total costs and visits in those two counties,” says Bodine. “We’ll pick one of the models and use that statewide, or we may use a hybrid of both if we have success.” “We’d like to reduce the number of visits to the emergency room. Not only would we save money, but we’d improve the lives of children,” says Dr. Tom Young, medical director for the Division of Medicaid. “Ear aches are painful for children and stressful to their parents. If we can teach families how to take care of the problem at home or go to their primary care doctor, it probably won’t reach the crisis that pushes them to the emergency room.”
Story by Ross Mason
Step 1: Call your doctor if your child has a combination of symptoms that are severe OR have been present for three or more days:
Step 2: Administer Home Treatment
Step 3: Take Steps to Prevent an Ear Infection
If you do not have a doctor, contact your nearest urgent care center OR call the 2-1-1 Idaho CareLine by dialing 2-1-1 or 1-800-926-2588 to locate a doctor. Sources: American Academy of Family Physicians; American Academy of Pediatrics; “Healthwise Handbook” - Healthwise, “The Care Wise Guide” – Regence Blue Shield.
Additional Articles/Resources
(Note: You'll find these articles at different web sites. Use the "back" button when you're done to return to this page.)
Indications Of Hearing Problems — Detecting hearing loss in babies can sometimes be very difficult. This article lists a few indications of hearing problems.
Idaho Sound Beginnings Program — There are many causes of hearing loss at birth. About three in 10 babies who do not pass both their in-hospital and outpatient hearing screens have permanent hearing loss. This article offers information on testing and how to get help if your newborn does not pass the hearing screening.