The study, titled “Impact of a Comprehensive Safety Initiative on Patient-Controlled Analgesia Errors,” found the incident of PCA errors is relatively low at 1 percent, and most errors occurred during administration. The study suggests facilities could use barcode readers and computerized physician order-entry systems to improve safety further.
Preprinted physician orders for PCAs were designed to match the programming parameters of the new pumps and included all the information necessary to complete a PCA prescription. Nurses were also trained on the use of the new order sets. Both measures were found to decrease error in the administration process.
Read the study published in Anesthesiology.
Read more on anesthesia:
–4 Ways ASCs Can Improve Operational Efficiency With Anesthesia
–ASA Study: Patients Fear Health System Changes Will Lead to Lower Standards of Care
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