PATIENT CONTROLLED ANALGESIA

Hadia Huma, Uma Ruqiya Basharath, B. Venkata Phani Deepthi*

ABSTRACT

Patient controlled analgesia (PCA) has been available for a number of years and is becoming an increasingly popular method of controlling pain. It is safe and effective, provided there is careful patient selection, adequate patient education, appropriate prescribing and patient monitoring. This technique is based on the use of a sophisticated microprocessor-controlled infusion pump delivers a preprogrammed dose of a drug. Patient Controlled Analgesia (PCA) pumps were developed to address the problem of undermedication. They are used to permit the patient to self-administer small doses of narcotics (usually Morphine, Dilaudid, Demerol, or Fentanyl) into the blood or spinal fluid at frequent intervals. PCA pumps are commonly used after surgery to provide a more effective method of pain control than periodic injections of narcotics. This method of pain control has been found to result in less pain and earlier discharge from the hospital. The present review discusses the PCA types, working of PCA pump, advantages, side effects and applications.

Keywords: analgesia, PCA, patient -controlled, pain.