Ear bleed ( Otorrhagia ) : Triage

When triaging patients in an acute setting, healthcare professionals may encounter cases of otorrhagia, or bleeding from the ears. This symptom can arise from a variety of causes ranging from benign to potentially serious conditions, making accurate history-taking and initial assessment crucial. Otorrhagia can be alarming to both patients and clinicians due to its association with significant underlying pathologies, including trauma, infections, foreign bodies, or systemic diseases.

The tables provided below are designed to aid clinicians in systematically gathering essential information during the history-taking process. By focusing on key aspects such as the onset, nature, and associated symptoms of the bleeding, as well as the patient's medical, surgical, and lifestyle history, these tables will help in identifying potential causes of otorrhagia. This structured approach ensures a comprehensive evaluation, guiding the clinician towards formulating an effective management plan based on the findings from the triage.