Making patient-controlled analgesia safer for patients

Making patient-controlled analgesia safer for patients

Collection:
Health Policy and Services Research
Series Title(s):
Pennsylvania patient safety advisory
Contributor(s):
Ritter III, H.T.M.
Pennsylvania. Patient Safety Authority.
ECRI (Organization)
Institute for Safe Medication Practices.
Publication:
[Harrisburg, Pa.] : Pennsylvania Patient Safety Authority, c2011
Language(s):
English
Format:
Text
Subject(s):
Analgesia, Patient-Controlled -- instrumentation
Analgesics, Opioid -- administration & dosage
Medication Errors -- prevention & control
Pennsylvania
United States
Genre(s):
Technical Report
Abstract:
The Pennsylvania Patient Safety Authority has received approximately 4,500 event reports associated with patient-controlled analgesic (PCA) pumps (June 2004 through May 2010). PCA infusion pumps allow patients to self-administer doses of pain-relieving medication as needed, rather than having to summon a caregiver. The most significant risk when using these pumps is overmedication leading to opioid-induced respiratory depression. This article assesses this and other risks associated with PCA therapy reported to the Authority. It reviews ways to prevent adverse events.
Copyright:
Reproduced with permission of the copyright holder. Further use of the material is subject to CC BY-NC-ND license. (More information)
Extent:
1 online resource (1 PDF file (pages 94-99))
Illustrations:
Illustrations
NLM Unique ID:
101570808 (See catalog record)
Permanent Link:
http://resource.nlm.nih.gov/101570808