At the start of each clinical session, you should check your treatment area, and remove any unnecessary equipment.

Your treatment area should be made as safe and private as possible, within the restrictions of the clinic’s location.

It’s important to prepare the equipment you intend to use beforehand, to avoid any last-minute issues or mishaps.

You must make sure that sterile needle packs remain sealed until you need them, and that all needles are within their expiry date, and have not been previously opened.

This clean field area must be thoroughly cleaned, and should only contain equipment that is necessary for your current session.

Your patient’s ear should be inspected. It shouldn’t be necessary to clean the ear before needling, unless the area appears unclean.