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Introducing patient‐controlled analgesia for postoperative pain control into a district general hospital
Author(s) -
Notcutt W. G.,
Morgan R. J. M.
Publication year - 1990
Publication title -
anaesthesia
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.839
H-Index - 117
eISSN - 1365-2044
pISSN - 0003-2409
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2044.1990.tb14787.x
Subject(s) - medicine , pain control , postoperative pain , pain management , general hospital , patient controlled analgesia , anesthesia , intensive care medicine , surgery , emergency medicine
Summary Patient‐controlled analgesia was introduced in a district general hospital in order to improve postoperative pain control. Techniques of management were developed with effectiveness, safety and practicality as the main objectives. An analysis of the first 1000 patients to use the system is presented. Problems were encountered with slow respiratory rate, monitoring, equipment function and ward management. Identification of specific hazards and management problems led to improvements in system safety. Patient‐controlled analgesia has become the standard technique for postoperative pain control after major surgery in this hospital.