pa·tient-con·trolled an·al·ges·i·a (PCA),

a method for control of pain based on use of a pump for the constant intravenous or, less frequently, epidural infusion of a dilute narcotic solution that includes a mechanism for the self-administration at predetermined intervals of a predetermined amount of the narcotic solution if the infusion fails to relieve pain.

Synonym(s): patient-controlled anesthesia

Farlex Partner Medical Dictionary © Farlex 2012

patient-controlled analgesia

Pain management A method for self-administration of narcotic-analgesics via a programmable pump; PCA is used for pain of terminal CA, postsurgery, angina pectoris, L&D Agents Fentanil, meperidine, morphine, sufentanil; PCA is delivered IV, subcutaneously or epidurally. See Pain.

pa·tient-con·trolled an·al·ge·si·a

(PCA) (pā'shĕnt kŏn-trōld' an'ăl-jē'zē-ă)

A method for control of pain based on use of a pump for the constant intravenous or, less frequently, epidural infusion of a diluted narcotic solution that includes a mechanism for the self-administration at predetermined intervals of the narcotic solution should the infusion fail to relieve pain.

Medical Dictionary for the Health Professions and Nursing © Farlex 2012

patient-controlled analgesia

A method of pain control in which the patient cooperates. An intravenous drip is set up and the patient has a small control unit with a button which, when pressed, inserts a small dose of a drug such as morphine, into the infusion fluid. Overdosage cannot occur. A disadvantage is the need to urinate at frequent intervals.

Collins Dictionary of Medicine © Robert M. Youngson 2004, 2005

pa·tient-con·trolled an·al·ge·si·a

, patient-controlled anesthesia(PCA) (pā'shĕnt kŏn-trōld' an'ăl-jē'zē-ă, an'es-thē'zē-ă)

Method for control of pain using a pump for constant intravenous or epidural infusion of a dilute narcotic solution that includes a mechanism for self-administration at predetermined intervals.

Medical Dictionary for the Dental Professions © Farlex 2012

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References in periodicals archive

Pain levels within 24 hours after UFE: A comparison of morphine and fentanyl patient-controlled analgesia. Cardiovasc Intervent Radiol.

A randomized clinical study comparing the analgesic efficacy of intra venous patient- controlled analgesia of morphine with fentanyl in post-operative pain management of major surgery patients

Cilj studije bio je usporediti ucinkovitost poslijeoperacijske analgezije paracetamolom primijenjenim intermitentno i putem samostalno kontrolirane crpke (patient-controlled analgesia, PCA) nakon neurokirurskog operativnog zahvata ekstruzije intervertebralnog diska na razini L4-L5.

ANALGESIC EFFECT--COMPARISON OF PARACETAMOL ADMINISTERED INTERMITTENTLY AND THROUGH PATIENT-CONTROLLED ANALGESIA PUMP AFTER LUMBAR DISCECTOMY: A PROSPECTIVE CLINICAL STUDY

Patient-controlled analgesia for sickle cell related pain.

A novel approach to pain management in persons with sickle cell disease

Single injection femoral nerve blocks have been shown to reduce postoperative knee pain compared with patient-controlled analgesia. This results in a decreased amount of analgesia needed for the first 12-24 hours post surgery, sometimes up to 48 hours, allowing the patient to participate and tolerate rehabilitation efforts more easily.

Acute care outcomes status post total knee arthroplasty with continuous femoral nerve block

Additional data on syringe and patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) pumps is also included in this report.

Smart pumps: in an area where decimal-point medication errors can be fatal, smart infusion pumps are adding a line of defense

From this study it is unclear whether these were differences related to requests for pain relief or staff perception and treatment provided but a similar team (Ng et al 1996b) examined ethnicity and patient-controlled analgesia. Asian, black, Hispanic and white patients self-administered similar amounts of opioid, yet black and white patients were prescribed higher doses than the Hispanic patient population.

Cultural perspectives on pain management

She said: "It's an attempt to humanise the experience of patient-controlled analgesia systems for children, parents and nursing staff.

Sophie's Pup to ease sick children's pain; Cushion toy is invention for young patients

Sophie, 22, who lives in Jesmond, Newcastle, said: "It's an attempt to humanise the experience of patient-controlled analgesia systems for children, parents and nursing staff."

Cuddly toy to help ill youngsters; REVEAL 2008 EXHIBITION

Prompted by five adolescent death reports associated with the use of insulin pumps during 2005, the agency conducted a search of its own medical device adverse events reports database for all those related to either insulin pumps or patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) pumps for adolescents from Jan.

Report focuses on problems with insulin pump use in teens

If severe postoperative pain is anticipated the preferred management is by means of an epidural catheter or continuous plexus anaesthesia, or, if unavailable, by patient-controlled analgesia using intravenous morphine.

Pain is a common concern for patients about to undergo surgery