Benefits of patient controlled ANALGESIA

ERRATUM: title should be patient controlled analgesia.
Patient-controlled analgesia (PCA): method of pain mgmt, allows patients to control pain medication
Computerized pump delivers meds
Push a button to administer bolus dose +/- background infusion.
Advantages:
More effective pain control
Improved patient satisfaction (patients feel that they are in control)
Compared to PRN nurse-administered opioids, no difference in:
Adverse events related to opioid use
Respiratory depression
Established cost
Hospital length of stay