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P A I N
M A N A G E M E N T
SAFETY IN NUMBERS
6 Steps to Preventing Pain Pump Pitfalls
P
atient-controlled analgesia (PCA) pumps caused more than
56,000 adverse events and 700 patient deaths between 2005 and
2009, according to FDA reports. To help prevent such incidents
in the future, the Physician-Patient Alliance for Health & Safety (PPAHS)
has issued a checklist (available for free download at
tinyurl.com/b7f9pog) aiming to promote PCA pump safety, based on data
and input collected from clinical professionals.
Here are 6 tasks that should accompany any pump initiation, refilling or
programming change:
1. Assess factors that may increase the risk of respiratory depression
and adjust medication doses accordingly. These factors include obesity or
low body weight; medication combinations (both opiates and non-opiates)
that magnify opiates' sedative effects; asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, sleep apnea and other pre-existing conditions; advanced
age.
2. Perform a pre-procedure cognitive assessment to determine whether
the patient is capable of participating in pain management. For example,
elderly patients with symptoms of dementia or pediatric patients may not
be suitable candidates for PCA pump use.
3. Educate the patient and provide him with information on proper
operation of the PCA pump. Provide the patient's caretaker(s) with the
same information.
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O U T PAT I E N T S U R G E R Y M A G A Z I N E O N L I N E | F E B R U A R Y 2013
