Patient-Controlled Analgesia

Abstract

Pain management through patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) allows patients to self-administer predetermined doses of analgesic medication typically through a computerized pump, eliminating the need for administration by a healthcare practitioner, typically a nurse, certified nursing assistant, or medical assistant. This facilitates delivery of analgesia at shorter intervals and in smaller doses than can reasonably be done when the medication must be obtained from an automated medication cabinet or the pharmacy for administration.