The Efficacy of Patient-Controlled Analgesia

Patient death or serious disability associated with the use or function of a device in patient care in which the device is used or functions other than as intended

With the growing reliance on medication therapy as the primary intervention for most illnesses, patients receiving medication interventions are exposed to potential harm as well as benefits. Medicines have proven to be very beneficial for treating illness and preventing disease. This success has resulted in a dramatic increase in medication use in recent times. Unfortunately, this increase in use and expansion of the pharmaceutical industry has also brought with it an increase in hazards, error and adverse events associated with medication use.

The province of Ontario has strongly implemented the use of smart pump to reduce medication errors and provide a better service to a patient. Furthermore, it will minimize injuries and death claims caused by an overdose. Although, there is still some areas in Ontario that does not follow the suggested machine to be used on their facilities and some are still in process which it will help to increase the percentage rate of ensuring that the patients will receive an excellent service in the field of medicine. Moreover, it will increase the chances of having the patients going home to their own places since they were able to receive a proper medication that would potentially help them recover quicker by getting the intended medication provided

Pain is the most commonly reported reason for coming to the hospital in America. It’s causes have a massive variance, and in many chronic cases the root source of pain can not be articulated at all. When a patient reports pain, the role of the nurse, and the whole healthcare staff, is to aim to reduce that pain. In many cases pain reduction can be attained through nonpharmacologic, complementary and alternative methods (CAM). Using CAM to reduce pain is an ideal scenario for both the patient and the healthcare staff as these alternative methods have fewer negative consequential effects.

Chronic, acute, somatic and oncologic are all types pain - each with their own symptoms, reliefs, and evaluations. As pain has been explored, we have learned more about it; however, it remains an anomaly. In the postoperative setting, nurses are the first line of pain management. Their assessments of the patient’s pain, including questions and scaling is imperative when dosing medications and evaluating the patient. Studies continue to determine that healthcare providers undertreat and mismanage pain control and assessment. According, to the American Society of Interventional Pain Physicians, “80% to 90% of physicians have had no formal training in prescribing controlled substances, and only five out of one hundred thirty-three medical schools in the U.S. have required courses on pain management” (Glowacki, p. 37). The American Nurse Credentialing Center reported that “as of 2013, only one thousand six hundred seventy two registered nurses in the U.S. were certified in pain management” (Glowacki, p. 37). According to the CDC, about 50% of postoperative patients report unrelieved pain (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2013). Effective postoperative pain control is necessary for successful care and treatment. Inadequate relief of postoperative pain can contribute to postoperative complications such as atelectasis, deep vein thrombosis, and delayed wound healing (Francis &

The author emphasizes the importance of safety for the patient in the hospital and at home. The author dissects the possible causes of the deaths and injuries such as incorrect dosage, misreading labels and lack of

Allison, smart pumps are a useful tool developed to improve patient outcomes by reducing medication errors however, according to the newsletter published by the Institute of Safe Medication Practices (IMSP), smart pumps are not smart on their own. The smart pump depends on an accurate medication library, and complete adoption of the smart pump technology by the nursing staff. (Institute of Safe Medication Practices (ISMP), April 19, 2007). You stopped a near medication error by following through when the smart pump denoted there was an error when you attempted to program a medication. The ISMP indicates that with any technology, safety has a maximum impact when the end user does not bypass the safety that has been implemented (ISMP, 2009).

When my mentor came to assess the patient, initially she took the PCA button away from him. She said it could be because of the opium overdose. I did not even think about it before and it was new information for me. Therefore, I read some books about the opioid analgesics, which is widely used for the patient controlled analgesia.

I think you have chosen a very interesting topic. I also am a ER nurse, and I truly hate having to put my kids thru such a traumatic even , although I do have good bedside rapport with my kids, I still don’t like putting them in harms way, by causing them pain along with getting them so upset by getting a IV. I have tried the EMLA also, but like you have found the time it takes to actually work takes to long, and many times I need labs done now. I am very interested in hearing more about this “needle-free” jet injection. I have not heard of such technology, and would welcome it in my own ER practice. I look forward to seeing and reading more about your idea.

Non-pharmacological adjuvants are non-medicinal elements which could include music, relaxation, breathing techniques, imagery, distraction, and massage (Sylvia, Carol, LeeAnn & MSN, 2011). Assessments of pain and side effects refer to the examination of a patient at regular intervals of time. Intervention and reassessment is based on changes related to previous pain and side effect assessments. Patient education is training individuals on how to manage or prevent pain with medication and activity. Goal setting is designed to aid in maintaining and reducing pain by allowing the patient, nurse, and doctor to work together in order to form a plan of pain management. All concepts work together to promote a balance between analgesia and side effects.

Jeffery et. al. (2005) study, “A Controlled Trial of Smart Infusion Pumps to Improve Medication Safety in Critically Ill Patients,” aimed at looking at the differences in serious medical errors using smart infusion pumps vs not using smart pumps in an intensive care unit. Although, this was accomplished, it was significantly limited by the sample group characteristics and lack of staff education regarding smart pumps. The study analyzed in depth the serious medication errors using the infusion pumps and found multiple areas for improvement, from the provider ordering the medication to the reprograming of the pumps. This can help reduce medication administration errors specific to the causes found by the study. Medication errors can be life threatening especially to critically ill patients. Intravenous medications, if given improperly, can have fatal consequences in the critically ill (Tissot et. al.,1999). For example, heparin given at the wrong dose can lead to severe bleeding and stroke (Crowther & Warkentin, 2008). Using smart pumps gives alerts to the operator making them aware of a possible wrong dose based on the medication given.

Nurses are largely responsible for providing IV therapy. They are expected to know the risks associated with infusion-related complications, but also how to minimize or avoid these risks. Nursing professionals must closely monitor and assess the patient’s clinical status and protect the patients from any avoidable injury. By broadening their knowledge and skills on IV associated phlebitis, nurses can help enhance patient safety and satisfaction, but also can minimize complications and lower healthcare costs, (Carson et al.,

Patients can benefit from anesthesia and analgesia when needed. Anesthesia can be routine for simple surgeries or used for a lifesaving procedure. Analgesia can offer the patient a state of non-pain along with aiding a better recovery. Surgery doesn’t just consist of anesthesia and analgesia but other areas such as room, machine, instrument, patient, and surgeon preparation. Tiny details really make the larger picture work. Not all veterinary technicians work in the same clinical setting. Some may work in a clinic, specialty hospital, laboratory or research setting. Even if a technician is not directly working with a patient, they need to be understanding of all areas of anesthesia and analgesia as they may need to observe an animal afterwards

The concern addressed in the article is whether there are other side effects of the technology on the health of the patient. Through other evidence has been provided, there lacks an evidence

The National Patient Safety Agency (NPSA 2010), defines a drug error as ‘any preventable event that may cause or lead to inappropriate use of patient harm. Although not all drug errors have lead to patient harm it is important to recognise that if a mistakes has been