PCA-related device events are three times as likely to result in injury or death. As Tim Ritter (Senior Patient Safety Analyst, Pennsylvania Patient Safety Authority) reminds us, “Over the six-year period from June 2004 to May 2010, data collected by Pennsylvania Patient Safety Authority revealed that there were approximately 4,500 reports associated with PCA pumps. Moreover, U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) Manufacturer and User Device Experience (MAUDE) database demonstrates that PCA-related device events are three times as likely to result in injury or death as reports of device events involving general-purpose infusion pumps.” Continue reading “10 Reminders to Ensure Safer Use of Patient-Controlled Analgesia”
Tag: Dr. Jason McKeown
PCA Safety Checklist Will Optimize Patient Safety
The safety checklist targeting patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) pumps reminds caregivers of the essential steps needed to be taken to initiate Patient-Controlled Analgesia (PCA) with a patient and to continue to assess that patient’s use of PCA.
Here are two healthcare experts opinion on the impact the PCA Safety Checklist will have on improving patient safety: Continue reading “PCA Safety Checklist Will Optimize Patient Safety”
PCA use – forgetting history (and monitoring) jeopardizes patient safety: An interview with Dr Jason McKeown
Although there are many benefits to the use of PCA, continuous electronic monitoring has greatly improved patient safety.
by Michael Wong
Patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) allows patients to “control” the amount of pain medication they receive. Although there are many benefits to the use of PCA, I discussed with Dr. Jason McKeown (Associate Professor, Medical Director – Inpatient Pain Service, University of Alabama School of Medicine), who is a member of the Anesthesia History Association and was the recipient of the Bullough Prize at the International Symposium on the History of Anesthesia in Cambridge, UK, in 2005, about the history of PCA and role of technology in ensuring patient safety when using PCA. Continue reading “PCA use – forgetting history (and monitoring) jeopardizes patient safety: An interview with Dr Jason McKeown”