Practice and Advocacy
Second Annual Joint Surgical Advocacy Conference
March 22-24, 2009
Washington, DC
Registration and housing information coming soon
Ototoxicity
Ototoxicity refers to injury of the inner ear (cochlear and/or vestibular end organs) as the result of exposure to chemicals or medications. Although ototoxic injury is often unavoidable, certain measures may reduce the risk. The treating physician should consider choosing a therapeutically equivalent non-ototoxic drug whenever one is available, especially in patients with heightened risk (e.g. pre-existing cochlear hearing loss, renal insufficiency). During therapy with potentially ototoxic medications use the lowest dose compatible with therapeutic efficacy and, when indicated, periodically monitor serum peak and trough levels. Avoid simultaneous use of multiple ototoxic medications (e.g. aminoglycosides and loop diuretics) whenever clinical circumstances permit as this may increase the risk of permanent deficit. Should a patient develop auditory (hearing loss, tinnitus) or vestibular (vertigo or disequilibrium) symptoms during therapy with a potentially ototoxic medication, referral for audiometric testing is recommended and consideration should be given to obtaining the opinion of an otolaryngologist.
Approved December, 2006
Guidelines are not a substitute for the experience and judgment of a physician and are developed to enhance the physicians' ability to practice evidence-based medicine.
Important Notice
The American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Inc. and Foundation (AAO-HNS/F) Policy Statements are guidelines only. In no sense do they represent a standard of care. The applicability of an indicator for a procedure, and/or of the process or outcome criteria, must be determined by the responsible physician in light of all the circumstances presented by the individual patient. Adherence to these guidelines will not ensure successful treatment in every situation. The AAO-HNS emphasizes that these policies should not be deemed inclusive of all proper treatment decisions or methods of care, nor exclusive of other treatment decisions or methods of care reasonably directed to obtaining the same results.
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Practice Management Workshops
Workshops held in cities nationwide will help otolaryngologists, their staff, and other healthcare professionals code correctly, learn risk reduction strategies, and organize business systems.
