Research suggests that errors with patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) occur more often than we know.
For the complete article in Hospitalist News, please click here.
Tag: Patient-Controlled Analgesics
Errors with patient-controlled analgesia (PCA): just the tip of the iceberg
Reported errors with patient-controlled analgesia – estimated at between 600,000 to 2 million PCA errors each year – are just the tip of the iceberg.
by Michael Wong
Many readers emailed studies, suggestions, and comments regarding the estimate of 600,000 to 2 million PCA errors each year. These readers not only indicated the magnitude of the problem, but also a way to detect respiratory depression. Here are these further studies and thoughts. Continue reading “Errors with patient-controlled analgesia (PCA): just the tip of the iceberg”
How to Prevent ‘Dead-in-Bed’ Syndrome With Patients After Surgery: Q&A With Physician Experts and PPAHS
PPAHS is developing a checklist that would reinforce the need for continuous electronic monitoring for oxygenation with pulse oximetry and ventilation with capnography to help prevent so-called “dead in bed” syndrome.
by Rob Kurtz (Editor in Chief, Becker’s ASC Review)
[With permission of ASC Review this article has been reprinted here. Copyright ASC Communications. For the original article, please click here.]
The Physician-Patient Alliance for Health & Safety (PPAHS), an advocacy group devoted to improving patient health and safety, has recently announced it is putting together a working group to create a checklist targeted towards patient-controlled analgesia (PCA).
This checklist would reinforce the need for continuous electronic monitoring for oxygenation with pulse oximetry and ventilation with capnography to help prevent so-called “dead in bed” syndrome. Continue reading “How to Prevent ‘Dead-in-Bed’ Syndrome With Patients After Surgery: Q&A With Physician Experts and PPAHS”