Patient-controlled analgesia

Patient-controlled analgesia
A patient-controlled analgesia infusion pump, configured for epidural administration of fentanyl and bupivacaine for postoperative analgesia
MeSHD016058

Patient-controlled analgesia (PCA[1]) is any method of allowing a person in pain to administer their own pain relief.[2] The infusion is programmable by the prescriber. If it is programmed and functioning as intended, the machine is unlikely to deliver an overdose of medication.[3] Providers must always observe the first administration of any PCA medication which has not already been administered by the provider to respond to allergic reactions.

  1. ^ Karanikolas M, Aretha D, Kiekkas P, Monantera G, Tsolakis I, Filos KS (October 2010). "Case report. Intravenous fentanyl patient-controlled analgesia for perioperative treatment of neuropathic/ischaemic pain in haemodialysis patients: a case series". Journal of Clinical Pharmacy and Therapeutics. 35 (5): 603–608. doi:10.1111/j.1365-2710.2009.01114.x. PMID 20831684. S2CID 205331535.
  2. ^ Jewell CS, Chambers JQ, Chearney LA, Romaine DS, Levy CB (2007). The Facts on File encyclopedia of health and medicine. New York: Facts on File. ISBN 978-0-8160-6063-4.
  3. ^ Patient controlled analgesia for adults. Thomson Healthcare, Inc. 2010.