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Perioperative Pharmacology: Patient‐Controlled Analgesia
Author(s) -
Hicks Rodney W.,
Hernandez Johnanna,
Wanzer Linda J.
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
aorn journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.222
H-Index - 43
eISSN - 1878-0369
pISSN - 0001-2092
DOI - 10.1016/j.aorn.2011.05.022
Subject(s) - patient controlled analgesia , medicine , perioperative , intensive care medicine , opioid , adverse effect , anesthesia , pain management , patient safety , postoperative pain , health care , pharmacology , receptor , economics , economic growth
Patient‐controlled analgesia (PCA) is an effective treatment option for reducing pain, but PCA errors can be quite serious. Opioid analgesics are among the most effective pain relievers available, but all have contraindications and can have adverse effects, including respiratory depression and other effects on the central nervous system. Practitioners must weigh the potential benefits of PCA use against the risks. Errors associated with the PCA process have been documented in each phase of the medication‐use process; therefore, practice improvements in prescribing, transcribing, dispensing, administering, and monitoring PCA may reduce the likelihood of errors. Perioperative nurses can make important contributions to safe PCA use by establishing standardized processes to help ensure positive patient outcomes in pain management.